January - New Years Day, a time to celebrate and look forward to what is coming. Everything has its meaning, from seeing the first sunrise, to eating traditional foods, to visiting the local shrine or temple.
This is the first year the three oldest woke up and were able to enjoy the tradition of viewing the first sunrise of the new year, which in Japanese is called, "hatsuhinode". With all of the excitement of a new decade, little did we know that this gathering would be one of the last!
We were lucky! Mt. Fuji made a special appearance for us, even though we live many many many miles away!
This was back when church was still legal, and people could gather together and worship as they may!
Look! A time when stores were open to allow for children to enjoy spending their "otoshidama", the traditional New Year's gift of money given to children by their grandparents, aunts, and uncles, and restaurants still allowed for families to gather together to celebrate birthdays. "Look, Ma, no mask!"
February - Happy Valentine's Day!
The thing about Valentine's Day in Japan, is that girls make or buy chocolates (and or other small gifts) for the boys. Recently, the trend that older elementary school girls up to high school girls make and give chocolate to their friends that are also girls. It is always a happy day to come home and find that the family has made me some homemade chocolates!
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