Setsubun (The Day Before The Beginning Of Spring).

Setsubun of 2010 is Feb. 3rd.
Because it is based on the movement of heavenly bodies, a date of Setsubun is different each year.
Setsubun is the day before the beginning of spring that is called "Risshun".
It dates back to the 9 century's aristocracy custom, so it's an old event.

Omisoka and Shogatsu (How Japanese Greet the New Year, 2/2).

It's continued from Omisoka and Shogatsu (How Japanese Greet the New Year, 1/2).




At new year, Japanese lion dance called "Shishi-mai" is held in many places.
There is a tradition that children who have their head bitten by Shishi will be happy.
(Photo : "Shishi-gashira (lion's head)" that is a mask for "Shishi-mai". by (c)Tomo.Yun)
(Video : "Shishi-mai".)

Omisoka and Shogatsu (How Japanese Greet the New Year, 1/2).

Today, I'd like to talk about Japanese custom of year end and new year.
Year end and new year are called "Nenmatsu Nenshi" in Japanese.
Though some customs are fading away, we have a lot of things to do during Nenmatsu Nenshi.
And today, Christmas is included as the one of year end events.

Most of events are originally held to welcome "Toshigami".
Toshigami is a god of Shinto that symbolize the year, and it visit each house every New Year.

(The photo is Maiko's first working day of the year.)

Shichi-Go-San (7-5-3 / seven-five-three).

Shichi-Go-San is a traditional rite of passage and festival in Japan.
Three and seven years-old girls and three and five years-old boys visit a shrine on Nov. 15th to drive out evil spirits and wish for a long healthy life.
Three, five and seven are consistent with Japanese numerology, which dictates that odd numbers are lucky.
It is not a national holiday, and is generally held on the nearest weekend by each family.

Making Hoshigaki (Dried Persimmons) in Kimono.

Yesterday, my grandparents & my grandmother's sister had come to my house.
And I asked them how to make "Hoshigaki (dried persimmons)".
I'm trying to make Hoshigaki for the first time!
It's a Japanese traditional sweets from 9 century.

Wagashi (Japanese Traditional Sweets) of Autumn.

Wagashi is the generic term of Japanese traditional sweets.
And Namagashi is a fresh & moist Wagashi that is often served with thick green tea at a tea ceremony.

At the last week, I had a guest and she brought assorted autumn Namagashi!
Now I'd like to show you 6 pieces of them.



At first, I'm sorry for the photos of a cross section don't look nice because I didn't cut them with knife!(>_<;

Jugoya (Night with the Harvest Moon).

Jugoya of 2009 is Oct. 3rd.
Because it is based on the old calender and the waxing & waning of the moon, a date of Jugoya is different each year.