It visited Mei-Shun out of the blue, coming through the window when she tried to close a shutter. Oh, do not be confused at artificial lights. There is no sun or moon among them. Mei-Shun is friendly to butterflies, with her family symbol 浮線蝶 as one of the reasons maybe. Since today is the first day of June on lunar calendar, that beautiful creature might have brought a good fortune.
moonlight
Japanese Culture@wkday
StandardToday is 小満=shoman, the second one of 二十四節気 of summer. The latter Chinese letter means “full” while the former “small”. What would be full slightly? Green, leaves and wheat field do in your sight. Tonight finds a beautiful 十四夜 moon, just before the full one tomorrow.
Full Moon
StandardMei-Shun practiced “Clair de Lune” by Debussy in the afternoon, wishing to see 十五夜 over such thick clouds. And it might work, when she drove to pick Shin up after dark, round silhouette of moon appeared for just a moment. Thanks a million, wind, though we have a slight chill with you.
Japanese Culture@holiday
StandardAkemashite Omedeto Gozaimasu. This is Mei-Shun’s first omikuji (=sacred lot) of 2016.
第二十二番 吉 The 22nd Lucky
このみくじにあう人は たちこめていた雲間に 再び月の明るさが射し込むように 万事気短にする事なく よくよく思慮すれば 神仏の御加護の下 幸せが訪れる
For those who see this sacred lot, consideration on every deed: never being in a hurry would lead to bright happiness under the protection of the God, as moonlight breaks through night clouds.
Full on Christmas
StandardWe had the most beautiful ornament in the sky, a full moon, at 25th night this year. 38 years have passed since it happened last time, they say. How lucky it is to come across such an extraordinary phenomenon on our special day!
Supermoon!
StandardWe have it tonight. It is clear, the best condition to have a little party at home. Yesterday enjoyed the harvest moon, so two consecutive days of beauty in the sky, round-shape sweets on the table. It comes only once this year, compared to three times last year — very rare phenomena.
Happy harvest!
Izayoi Moon
StandardWe see 十六夜, one day after the moon looks full called 十五夜, tonight. It comes up to the sky a little delayed compared to last night. In old days, they took it as moon’s hesitation and read this Chinese letters izayoi. As the moon appears later night by night, they call 17th moon 立待月, 18th 居待月 and 19th 寝待月 meaning to wait for the moon standing, sitting and lying.
Tanabata Wishes
StandardIt stopped raining in the morning. We might be able to see Orihime and Hikoboshi stars at night; the former is Japanese name of Vega while the latter Altair. Mei-Shun’s wish to bind on our tree is to have good sweets symbolizing this romantic festival.
Christmas is Coming
StandardThis lovely piece of work by Kaori-san, illustrator Ms. KOGASHIWA, arrived from Kyoto. A gift to herself, Mei-Shun feels very happy. Shin also likes it, advising her to arrange a covering glass for good quality preservation. You are right. We wish you a Merry Christmas!
After Three Years
StandardA total lunar eclipse could be seen tonight. It begins around 18:00, the time when Mei-Shun start her lesson at the community center. No delay or such a rare natural phenomenon would slip out of the arms.
meishunkikunoe 