Snowmen fit the reality of Christmas in Australia about as well as a water fight does in Europe. Seasons and the seasons affect culture – even reflect it. In Japan, the weather follows the rules. When the proverbial butterfly flaps its wings in Brazil, causing a typhoon in China and its neighbouring countries, the Japanese have had three months warning. The weather bureau has checked their calendar and decided that the typhoon could be slipped in between the 35-degree muggy day on October 13 and the 35-degree muggy day on October 15.