Open up your nose!

Today, and January 18th annually, is "Open Up, Good Nose” Day ひらく、いい鼻の日. An Only in Japan observance I would speculate! Despite the funny name, the anniversary does have a more serious purpose - to promote nasal health. The date was chosen because 1/18 the two "1" can be read "ii" and "8" has a reading of "ha", the first sound of "hana" for nose; combined = ii hana or good nose in English.

In the winter months the air is very dry in Japan. It is also the season when all sorts of colds and viruses spread. In addition, we are approaching hay fever season. It is a good time to consider how to protect your nose and take care of sinuses and breathing. The "open up" is a literal translation of "Hiraku", but I think in this case they mean it more like what we call "decongestion" in English; to avoid congestion in this season.

The photo in this post depicts people lining up to go into the nasal passage of a giant nose! It was taken at "Grossology", an excellent traveling exhibition teaching about various parts of the body, including the nose.