2015 might be one of the most tumultuous years for Mei-Shun. She is grateful to her family and friends whose warm hands always support her. She wishes, or rather promises, to serve them the same someday. Please just take her love now and, 良いお年を！
Wish you a happy new year!
This Tuesday on the way to home, Mei-Shun dropped in at a branch of 菊廼舎 in Tokyo Station. She reserved specially-designed cans of 冨貴寄, with the symbol of coming 2016 申=monkey, for friends and herself. They are called 年女 or 年男 = people of the year, who were born in the new year symbolized by one of 12 animals. She makes it a rule to send that delicacy to her precious 年女 or 年男, since it seems to bring a good fortune.
We have 12 animals to symbolize a year. 2015 is represented by sheep, written in Chinese character as “未”. It is the 8th symbol among “子” rat, “丑” ox, “寅” tiger, “卯” hare, “辰” dragon, “巳” serpent, “午” horse, “未”, “申” monkey, “酉” cock, “戌” dog and “亥” boar. Many Japanese people purchase symbol ornaments to celebrate the New Year.
During every new-year vacation, Mei-Shun bring her mother-in-law to a Yasaka Shrine in Tsuchiura, the headquarters of which is in Kyoto, closely related to Gi-On Festival. Since Tsuchiura branch is not registered in the navigation system of her car, Mei-Shun has to rely on mom’s memory. Well. She wishes it were good enough …
As one of entertainments of the new year, we have 百人一首, Poetry by 100 Celebrities. Each poem has 5+7+5+7+7=31 syllables. Players would remember the latter 7+7 part of a poem, look for and take the card on which it is written. A reader would help with the illustrated cards of whole poems. The winner is a player who takes the most number of cards, yet the real joy of this game seems to be in the reading.
Akemashite Omedeto; A happy new year! As one of representative menus of washoku (=traditional Japanese cuisine), please find osechi below.
The First Box
The Second
The Third (optional European/American Style foods)
So this year ends today. Thank you so much for your kind visiting Mei-Shun. She and Mikan-chan would like to share a time with you here next year as well.
2015 would be symbolized by sheep, which Mei-Shun has not yet prepared. Actually forgot to – she used to visit a stationery shop to order nengajo (=new-year greeting card) while choosing annual ornament. However, she found nicely designed nengajo at a post office this year. Well, where does our symbol walk around right now?
meishunkikunoe 