Today, January 21, is “Daikan,” said to be the coldest day among the twenty-four solar terms. Tokyo was not brilliantly clear, but there was some sun — yet it felt quite cold. Downtown recorded a low of 1.0°C at 7:10 a.m. — 0.2° above normal and 1.7° warmer than the previous day’s −0.7°C.
After a mild spell through New Year, Tokyo has had more days below 1°C since January 12; on the 13th it hit −0.9°C, this winter’s low. On the 18th when it snowed the low was 0.2°C — “above water” — but cold returned on the 20th with −0.7°C, so the 21st was a little better. We feel apologetic toward northern regions battling blizzards.
At lunch I went to the rooftop: the sun was out but sometimes thin, giving a chilly feel. Benches where many people lounge on warm days stood wide empty = photo above. In the first 40 minutes after opening at 11:45, about 60 people came up via the east elevator — roughly half the usual. Wind on the ground was mild, but on the roof cold gusts sometimes whistled through; the paper streamers on the Mainichi Shrine torii fluttered now and then = photo right.
Searching The Mainichi Newspapers news site, I found an article on the “Daikan misogi” at Kasuga Shrine, Hofu, Yamaguchi, early that morning — run in evening editions in Kyūshū and Yamaguchi. About 101 men and women aged 70–80 in fundoshi or white robes entered a 10°C tank up to the chest at 0°C air at 6:30 a.m. to purify body and mind and pray for health through the year = photo below.
There was also an article in the January 19 Ibaraki edition on the “Daikan misogi” at Kashima Jingū (Kashima, Ibaraki),
a traditional rite on the morning of the 17th before Daikan, likewise showing people immersing in the pond at the rear of the grounds to wash away impurity — like Kasuga Shrine.
Why not search The Mainichi Newspapers site for Daikan news from your hometown?