お正月だから Because it's New Years

January 2, 2011: 季節 Seasons

New Years Greeting

「お正月だから」

と前島おじさんが答えました。我が社長が「どうしてまた素敵な着物を着ているのですか?」と聞いていました。

ロビーは花を飾り、

玄関に松を飾り、

親戚や近所の子供達にお年玉を上げたり、

全てはお正月のため。

外から来た私が段々と日本のお正月の重要性が分かってきています。アメリカでは、お正月は飲んだり、アメフットボールをテレビで見たり、誰も守らない新年の抱負で終わっちゃう。

こっちは格好良いおじさんが格好良い着物を着て、挨拶しにくださる。

"Because it's New Years."

That's how our Uncle, Maejima-san replied. Our proprietress was asking why he was wearing such a nice dress kimono.

Special flowers displayed in our lobby.

Pine tree branches set out at our inn's entrance.

Giving otoshi-dama money envelopes to the children of our relatives and neighbors.

All for New Years.

As my experience with New Years in Japan grows, my appreciation of the profoundness of this holiday here also grows. Back in the States, it was just an excuse to drink and watch football, and make resolution no one ever kept.

Here, it's a cool uncle dressing up in his best kimono.



Kamesei lobby's New Years Flowers


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