And so there is another new year's tradition that must be observed if one is in Tokyo at this time of the year, and especially when one is in the Hashimoto household and that is the Hakone Ekiden. The ekiden is best described as a long distance marathon relay from Tokyo to Hakone. Ten students from twenty universities compete over five sections over two days. Whichever way you look at it, it is a lot of running and it is broadcast live. It is what we watch from 7.00am to about 2.00pm, eating yesterday's leftovers. A bit like the Sydney-to-Hobart at home I suppose.
There's an added element in this household. The alma maters of three members of the household are nearly always competing (competing teams determined by an earlier round-robin-type event). So there's a lot of (not so) friendly joshing and cajoling. For two days. And then as long as the 'winner' cares to remind the rest of us...
Put it this way, the 'other' university is ahead of us (but not leading, which is important).
I didn't get out until about 3.30pm to go and do some thinking about presents to take home. On the walk to the station, the moon was weaving between the electricity wires...
 |
| Moonrise over Itabashi wires |
 |
| One of these paperweights is not like the others...can you tell? |
...maybe.
Tomorrow the runners make the return trip to Tokyo after spending the night in Hakone. Let the cheering continue...
[Camera : iPhone 6, 4.02pm, 6.58pm]
