Our dishwasher seems broken. It won’t turn on since last Wednesday — actually it sometimes does, yet never starts. Well, it is 清明=seimei today, the 5th of 二十四節気. Refreshing southeastern wind is said to blow, while it changed from warm-southern one to cold-eastern. Time of amendment might have come.
Japanese culture
Your Highness
StandardPlease find Momo-chan, our garden princess. How shiny she is! It seems to Mei-Shun that this 80% blossom is the best. On the other hand, 染井吉野 in the park where she walks in the morning blooms still in 30%. There are 八重桜=yae-sakura trees as well, whose gorgeous flower we could see a month later. Such diversity of spring pink makes our mind really full of joy.
Japanese Culture@holiday
StandardStart of cherry blossom, represented by 染井吉野=somei-yoshino, was announced in Tokyo today. It is measured by sample trees selected all through Japan except for northern Hokkaido and southern Okinawa. Looking one of the most enjoyable jobs for the Meteorological Agency, they visit such designated sites everyday until 5-6 flowers are recognized fully open. And at home, Mei-Shun continues daily check on their garden princess. Please find narcissus knights all face toward her.
Contrary Couple
StandardMei-Shun had an allergy test lately, with a result that listed 36 allergens never affect her. On the other hand, Shin is tortured by serious symptom of hay fever these days — this disease is mainly caused by cedar pollen in Japan. Sensitive husband and primitive wife we are.
New Moon
StandardToday is the first day of the year on lunar calendar. It is said in our country that new moon days are the best for you to make a wish to a god. That is why Mei-Shun postponed the procedure to renew her driver’s license to date.
Japanese Culture@wkday
StandardWe have 二十四節気 to divide a whole year into 24 seasonal steps. Spring has 6 of them including 立春, 雨水, 啓蟄, 春分, 清明, 穀雨. Today has the first one in almost every year, while February is normally the coldest month.
Snow in West
StandardThe weather forecaster says that it has heavily snowed in Kansai and Kyushu areas. Master Mei-Shu flew to Tokushima, Shikoku last Thursday. It has seemed that she might be a 雨女, ame-onna=a woman to whom rainfalls always follow, since heavy rain often troubles her hometown when she visits there. This time, it turned to snow while 雪女, yuki-onnna has all different meaning.
2016 Symbols
StandardThese lovely monkeys came to us in different routes; fluffy one with a red ribbon is from “Arles“, smaller one with golden ears from Fukushima. They take after each other in friendly visage, yet one is made of felt while the other of wooden chips.
Japanese Culture@holiday
StandardThis is Mei-Shun’s second 2016 omikuji.
第四十四番 吉 The 44th Lucky
このみくじにあう人は 碁に黒白の石が置いてあるように 吉凶はないが 心遣いと努力があれば 後にはすべて良くなる 物事先んずれば良く 遅れれば利なし 神仏の御加護を信じ 熟慮断行すれば 幸せ来る
For those who see this sacred lot, lucky and unlucky matters share their existence as go game has black and white stones on the board. Take good care of other people while making efforts for yourselves. Everything would be better in the future. The sooner the better, no delay for profit. Believe in the protection of the God, consider before implementation. Happiness would soon come.
A stone of passion, carnelian was attached to the lot. It would bring triumph to your business and sports, they say.
Japanese Culture@wkday
StandardMany of us enjoy 七草粥 (=nanakusa-gayu) today. 5 kinds of wild, edible leaves and 2 vegetables are cooked in rice porridge. This simple dish is gentle for our tired stomachs after feasts of new-year celebration.
meishunkikunoe 