It's a holiday season. Thanks giving and Christmas is over there. In America, this two are important family holidays. In Japan, we don't cerebrate thanks giving. Christmas is for department stores and lovers. Instead, our most important holiday of the year is "Oshougatsu", which is cerebration for the new years. Actually, it is not only January 1st. Osyougatsu starts from end of the year, around December 28 to January 3 for sure, some people don't need to go to work till 5th. End of year, mother and grand mother stand in the kitchen whole day preparing for Osechi. During Oshogatsu we keep eating this osechi so mothers don't need to work in the kitchen. So whole family could stay in Kotatsu and drink sake and get lazy.
こちらアメリカはホリデーシーズン到来です。サンクスギビングとクリスマスはすぐそこ。アメリカではこの二つは一年で最も重要な家族行事のうちの二つ。日本ではほとんどの人はサンクスギビングは関係ないし、クリスマスはデパートとカップルのためにあるような物。こっちで家族行事のその二つを経験するたびに日本のお正月が恋しくなる。
Midnight, right before the year changes, we eat buckwheat soup noodle, and listen the bell ring 108 times. Then, end of the bell is the new year! And then, lots of people go out to go shrine. My family... we just go to bed. Tired from drinking.
Next morning, Conversation starts from "Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu", the new years greeting. Then we talk about how off our dream were from "Ichi taka, Ni fuji, San nasubi" which is best 3 icons that you would like to have in your first dream. First hawk, Second mount Fuji, Third eggplant. Then, eat Osechi, and drink sake. This sake is special. We prepare it in a special sake bottle with some herbs. The oldest person get to drink it first, and the youngest the last. Yes, kids get to drink little bit of it this day. Then, we go out for shrine for "Hatsumoude". We get "Omiki" which is holy sake from god master there. This is the Japanese tradition. This is what I did every year till I moved to America. And I miss that.
と言っても、簡単にすまそうと、重箱にお惣菜を買って入れとこう、というお惣菜を買えるところがないし、自分で作ろうと、手伝ってくれる人もいない。しかも作ったところで頭付きの海鮮物、豆が甘いというのが苦手な家族達。結局一週間かけて一人で食べ尽さなければならないということになりかねないので、おせちは却下。なんとかお正月気分が出ない物か。。。
So I made my own shrine! Well, in Japan every place where it looks special, or old, or a place where you feel spiritual have a shrine. Shinto is like animism. Any animal spirits, and land itself could be a god. So I found a special place in our land.
ということで、今年はせめて初詣で正月気分を味わおうと自分で作ってしまいました。自分達の土地で祠の似合うところを見つけました。
お正月前に初の参拝者！お神酒、、、とは言えないので、桃子の酒をいただきました。
It's really pretty around here again this year with colorful leaves. I think it could have a little shrine without any doubt.
この辺りは今年も葉っぱが色づいてきれいです。密かに祠があっても不思議はない。
