Ohaiogozaimous
It is the morning of "Setsuban" here in Japan and according to the old calendar it is the last day of winter. Today's calendar indicates the eve of the first day of spring and by the old calendar it was the end of the year. On this day people in Japan scatter roasted soy beans inside and outside their homes yelling "Out with the demons! In with the happiness!" I heard it is usually the father in the family who wears a mask and runs about scattering the soybeans as a purification ritual for starting the new year and the demons represent troubles and disease. They say that after scattering the soybeans it is then customary to eat the number of soy beans equal to the same age you are as prayer for perfect health. So yes I did buy some beans for CJ and I and we will hopefully be of good health in 2009 after eating our 50 something beans later tonight at supper.
I am off to clean my house and hopefully get rid of the dust bunnies on the hardwood floors and lint caterpillars on the carpeted steps and rugs.
Happy First day of Spring from Japan
Karla
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment