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Took a little break from updates while we were in Michigan, but now that we're settled back into our routine in Japan we'd like to wish you a very happy 2011!
One activity we were happy to get back to in Yokkaichi was going for walks together. We almost always stop by a local temple during our strolls, and on our latest visit we could see bits of tradition surrounding New Year's.
Firstly, we saw kadomatsu, decorations placed in pairs outside temples, shrines and homes around the New Year. These decorations are meant to welcome ancestors, bring good luck for the year's harvest, and even temporarily house Japanese spirits or gods.
Next we took a look at the ema, or prayer cards. These cards are filled out with goals, hopes and prayers for the year (these ones were still from 2010).
Next we came to a little tree in a fire pit. The papers tied around the limbs are fortunes for 2011. These fortunes are drawn at the temple, read, and tied around the tree (whether good or bad).
The kadomatsu, ema, and tree will all be burned together within a matter of days. The kadomatsu: to release and appease the spirits; the ema: to let go of changed goals, bad things, memories and things not yet achieved; the tree and fortunes: to erase the bad luck and make the good luck come true. It's very symbolic of what many of us do every year. We embrace what was good, try to let go of what was bad, and hope for the best in the New Year.
Hope you can Let Go and Embrace Hope, Happiness and Love in 2011.
2 comments:
How very special. What a wonderful experience for you. I'm excited to learn more about your life in Japan. We should make ema cards in our class!
That sounds great! I can't wait to get started--feels like I've just been waiting and waiting! :-)
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