Avocado enthusiasts from across the nation gathered today at the Masakado Mound in Ōtemachi, Chiyoda Ward, to pay their respects.
The Masakado Mound is a historic site where the head of Taira no Masakado— a powerful 10th-century samurai who once rebelled against the imperial court— is enshrined. According to legend, after being displayed in Kyoto, Masakado’s severed head flew eastward through the air, propelled by its lingering resentment, finally landing here. Fearing his wrath, locals enshrined the head, prayed for tranquility, and continued to honor it through the centuries.
One of the avocado devotees attending the pilgrimage spoke:
“We have come today to humbly request the support of this great historical figure, in hopes that the people of Japan will finally pronounce avoga—, no, avoga—, uh, apogagaga…”
According to the group, although the correct pronunciation is avocado, many Japanese speakers unconsciously voice the consonant, turning k into g, saying avogado instead. This mispronunciation, they insist, is a serious obstacle to the wider acceptance of the avocado. Their attention thus turned to Taira no Masakado. As they explain it, the reason no one ever pronounces his name as “Taira no Masagado” is due to the spiritual pressure exerted by his formidable soul. If his power can suppress g in his own name, then surely, they believe, it can do the same for avocado.
Thus, the pilgrimage was organized.
(The avocado devotees are seen raising whole avocados high above their heads, bowing deeply before the stone monument with solemn devotion.)
“Purge the GA… purify it into KA…”
One participant spoke afterward:
“I’m confident our prayers have reached him. (Reached who, exactly?) You know… that guy… Taira no… that, uh… Taira no Avogado…”
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