It's autumn, isn't it.

"Deep autumn, what does my neighbor do?"

Hello, this is Sato from the AKT Public Relations Department.

Here in Yokohama, where we are based, it has suddenly become much cooler over the past few days, and we are finally starting to feel the arrival of autumn. Even though the season turned to autumn in an instant, my body and mind haven't quite caught up yet, and I feel like I need to change my wardrobe soon.

The opening line, "Deep autumn, what does my neighbor do?" is a quote from a haiku by Matsuo Basho that appears in "The Narrow Road to the Deep North." It is a verse that evokes the quiet and melancholy atmosphere of autumn, a complete turnaround from the lively summer season.

Autumn, which lies in the transition from summer to winter, has a certain thoughtfulness and transience to it. It feels like a special season where Japanese people become more like themselves, looking up at the moon and savoring the season.

By the way, in Shimokitazawa, a giant moon is floating in a vacant lot until 9/29.

▼ About Sato from the Public Relations Department

Autumn of [blank]

When you think of "Autumn of [blank]," what comes to mind?

In a survey of 1,000 people 76% thought of "Autumn of appetite" first, which was an overwhelmingly popular result.

Also, although I wasn't familiar with it, "Autumn of sleep" was also in the top rankings. While I wondered if it had something to do with appetite or sports, I nodded in agreement, feeling the relief of being freed from the sweltering summer nights.

Searching for "Autumn of [blank]"

The arrival of autumn, a season easy to be active in. To find a new "Autumn of [blank]," I asked ChatGPT to list 30 "Autumn of [blank]" ideas that I had never heard of but could agree with.

Whether indoors or outdoors, active or chill, autumn is a great time for many things. Since it's a season that ends in the blink of an eye, I'd like to set a theme for myself and be mindful about enjoying it.

Have you found your autumn yet?

Autumn of Art

As someone obsessed with art, I'm having an "Autumn of Art." (...the photo is from mid-summer)

The recommended exhibition is "Personal Views: Japanese Contemporary Art - The Ryutaro Takahashi Collection" which is being held at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo in Kiyosumi-shirakawa until 11/10.

A number of works collected personally by a psychiatrist who is an art collector are on display, and it was quite impressive, ranging from works by famous artists that trade for hundreds of millions of yen to brand-new works by young artists in their 20s.

Old, famous Western paintings like those seen in art textbooks are wonderful, but since this exhibition gathers many Japanese artists living in the same era, the psychological distance is closer, and you might feel that art is more accessible.

Since works by 115 groups of artists are gathered, it might give a cluttered impression without a sense of unity compared to a typical exhibition, but because a wide range of works are displayed by theme, please try to find your favorite.

Conclusion

At AKT, we have started ordering the calendars we distribute at the end of the year, and I realize that we have entered the final stretch of this year. ...It really has been a year that flew by.

It is also a time of year when it is easy to get sick due to sudden changes in the weather, so please take care of yourself and have a meaningful autumn.

P.S.
8 years ago, I was harvesting rice in Niigata... lol (far left)

Please report your "autumn of [something]" on X below.