Shoki Barai

"Drinking away the summer heat" was how this succinct Japanese phrase for getting drunk on a summer evening was translated for me. I can find no equivalent word or simple phrase in English to express that idea. I do have a couple of friends, however, who would no doubt suggest "Friday" has the same connotation.

Along with hanami (viewing the blooming cherry trees) and hanabi (fireworks, which in Japan means going to a park, drinking for several hours to hold your place among the tens of thousands of others doing the same thing), shoki barai seems to me simply another excuse to do what they already want to do: drink.

Now I just need to find a term that is applicable to winter drinking. There is doubtless one.