Six O'clock Tune (2004-07-31)
In the evening in summer, a short tune chimes through the air right at the tick of six o'clock. In winter we can hear it at five. It is also the same tune that was played in the ward where we used to live.
The tune serves as a reminder to children playing outside that it is
dusk and they should be going home. Its more important function
is a daily testing of the PA system so in case of earthquakes and
emergency situations, we will have a PA system that works. Good
thinking from the government here.
The tune is called Yuyakekoyake and only lasts about a minute.
It is soothing and apt for any evening against the setting sun.
You can listen to the embellished
version of the tune
yourself and experience a brief moment of my life in Japan.
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