12月31日と1月1日はたった24時間の違いだけですけど、この切り替えはいつもと違って、31日にその一年間にお世話になった皆様に「有難う」と。毎日に言えば良いけど、なかなか・・・ それこそ、その12月31日の「有難う」は重い。
そして、1月1日になってしまえば、今度はその同じ相手に「おめでとうございます！」と。今だに何が「おめでとう」か、よう分からへん。
その中で、私にとってのお正月のイメージは下記です。皆様のはどうですか？
あと、2009年でこのブログで付き合ってくれた皆様、有難うございました。2010年にも宜しくお願い致します。
December 31st and January 1st are just two normal old days. However, especially here in Japan, they represent something much deeper. On the last day of the year, you thank all of your associates for their help throughout the year. I guess it would be more appropriate to thank them everyday during the year, but we never seem to do so. That makes the December 31st 'Thanks' ever so important. Then the calendar changes a day, and you find yourself telling those same acquaintances, "Omedetou" which means "Congratulations". I still don't quite understand why everyone goes around congratulating each other on the first of January, but that is the tradition.
Following is a picture collage of my impression of New Years in Japan. And for all of you who read this blog during 2009, I want to pass on my appreciation and look forward to continuing the relationship into 2010.
信州戸倉上山田温泉の亀清旅館のＨＰはこちらClick here for the website of Kamesei Ryokan in Nagano.
New Years Decoration given to us by a relative
Kamesei's entrance decked out for New Years
Getting the Nengajo greeting cards ready
Eating mandarin oranges and watching New Years Eve TV
2010's first sun
traditional
A Kamesei New Years Poster Made by a Guest
Watching the New Years Day eki-den race on TV -- endlessly!
