NIPPON BA-RE (日本晴れ)
If things continue like this we might get used to it! Perfectly clear skies, ideal temperatures, and deliciously aromatic air (when not bombarded by smoke from the numerous gomi-moshi fires they've got going these days). In other words, GLORIOUS WEATHER! Day after day!
I ran into a Japanese acquaintance of mine, a gentleman in his seventies, and greeted him with one of the most typical (and mundane) of all Japanese expressions: II TENKI DESU NE. (It's a fine day, isnt it?) Of course, I was expecting the set-pattern response of SO DESU NE. (It sure is!) Instead, this older and learned man responded with an expression rarely used in regular conversations these days (though it is still sometimes used by the weather-man), which struck a chord and has lingered with me since he said it.
After I greeted him he looked up at the sky with a pleased look in his eye and said: "Nippon Ba-Re!", which could be directly translated as, "There`s not a cloud in the sky over Japan!", or "It's a beautiful Japanese Day!"
It's too bad that this powerful expression has been falling into disuse with the younger generation (maybe it sounds too old fashioned or too patriotic), because I think it is a profound and uniquely atmospheric way to express the joy of being in Japan when the weather is this good.
By the way. Nipponbare is also the name of a variety of rice.
Let's enjoy this string of delicious days while it holds up!
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