Tonchi (Witty Wisdom) Day (Tonchi no Hi)

What Is Tonchi Day?

January 9th is "Tonchi no Hi" (Wit Day) in Japan. It is named after "Ikkyu-san," famous for his witty stories, from a pun reading 1 and 9 as "ik-kyu." Because "tonchi" can also be thought of as a kind of quiz, the day is also called "Quiz Day." However, it is unclear who established these days or for what purpose. "Tonchi" means quick wit that springs to mind on the spot.

The Real Ikkyu: Ikkyu Sojun

The model for Ikkyu-san was Ikkyu Sojun (1394-1481), a Rinzai Zen monk of the Muromachi period.

• Said to have royal blood: Born in Kyoto, he is said to have been an illegitimate son of Emperor Go-Komatsu. At age six he entered Ankoku-ji Temple in Kyoto and was given the name "Shuken." He is said to have shown a talent for poetry from a young age.
• The witty tales came later: Famous stories such as "catching the tiger on the folding screen" and "do not cross this bridge" became known through Edo-period books such as "Ikkyu-banashi," and most are thought to be later inventions.

An Unconventional Zen Monk

The real Ikkyu Sojun is known for criticizing the formalism and authority of the Buddhist establishment of his day and for living outside the norms, making no secret of drinking sake or eating meat. In 1474, late in life, he became head priest of Daitoku-ji Temple by imperial order and worked to rebuild the temple after the devastation of the Onin War. He died in 1481 at Shuon-an in what is now Kyotanabe, Kyoto Prefecture.

Fun Facts About Tonchi Day

• "Do not cross this bridge": On seeing a sign saying "kono hashi wataru bekarazu" (do not cross this bridge), Ikkyu-san walked straight across the middle, explaining that he hadn't crossed at the "hashi" -- a word that also means "edge." It is a classic pun-based tale.
• The skull and "beware": According to legend, at New Year Ikkyu walked through town carrying a skull on the end of a bamboo pole, calling "Beware, beware." It is said to have been a reminder not to forget the fragility of life even at a joyful time like New Year.
• The anime "Ikkyu-san": The TV anime aired from 1975 to 1982, and its catchphrase "Don't rush, don't rush. Take a break, take a break" became widely loved. It was also broadcast overseas and is said to have been popular in China and elsewhere.
• Ikkyu-ji Temple: Shuon-an in Kyotanabe is also called "Ikkyu-ji" and houses Ikkyu's grave. Items associated with him are preserved there, and it is also known for its specialty "Ikkyu-ji natto" (fermented soybeans).

Ways to Spend Tonchi Day

• Trade riddles and quiz questions to give your brain a workout
• Reread Ikkyu-san's witty tales and look for the wordplay they use
• Look at a work problem you're stuck on from a different angle
• Following Ikkyu-san's catchphrase, make a point of taking a break on busy days

Tonchi is also the kind of wisdom that lightens the mood with a small shift in thinking. On January 9th, why not relax like Ikkyu-san and look at things from a new angle?