Autumn Leaves and Foxes’ Weddings

There may not have been much petanque played on the Maldon pistes due to rain last Sunday, but in downtown Kyoto it was business as usual, despite some passing showers.
Andrew and I were keen spectators at a tournament that attracted 72 doubles teams - that’s 144 players who came from across Kyoto prefecture to meet for a periodic competition.
​As well as damp conditions, the players braved some very cold weather.  They kept warm by wearing countless layers of clothes, drinking scalding tea and eating pots of piping hot noodles.
In between watching the games, we took the time to admire the autumn leaves, which are gradually turning the Imperial Palace grounds into a sea of red and yellow.
So, we asked: was there a cash prize for the winner?
“No, better than cash,” said Masami, our club mentor.  “First prize is a five kilogram bag of rice.  Very good rice, grown by a Kyoto prefecture club member who is a rice farmer.  His rice is the best.”
As we left the tournament, the sun had come out while it was still raining quite heavily.  “When it rains while the sun is shining, we have a special phrase for this in Japanese,” Masami said.  “We say that it is the foxes’ wedding. Foxes have a special place in Japanese culture and traditions.”
And so finished our final day at the Kyoto pistes.  Although it’s very tempting to think about coming back to play in the 2027 Masters championships, which will be held in Kyoto.
Let’s wait and see!
Viv Markham