Book of Seasons-Winter in Kanazawa
Channel: UN University
Date: 16/12/2011

In winter, Kanazawa bears witness to rain and snow in their myriad forms. The beginning of winter is signaled by thunderstorms reverberating against the mountains. They are said to "awaken" not only the snow (yukiokoshi), but also the shoals of yellowtail (buriokoshi) that start their seasonal migration southward along the coast.

Moisture-laden winds blowing across the Sea of Japan hit the slopes of the Japan Alps and rise high into the colder strata of the atmosphere, where the vapour condenses and falls over Japan's northern coasts in various forms of precipitation. Seemingly never-ending rains that have been drenching the streets and black tile roofs all day suddenly metamorphose into fine drizzle. As the night engulfs the city, the twisting silhouettes of lightning and the sound of thunder give way to hail and sleet pouring down as if the skies have broken apart.

Read the rest of the article at
http://ourworld.unu.edu/en/biodiversity-in-kanazawa-winters-lesson/

Watch the full version of "Book of Seasons"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gcVIcVuprk