Saturday, January 14, 2006 Happy Koshogatsu I have a diary schedule book that tells me the days for different holidays around the world, but because it is from Japan each month has a slight blurb about something special in Japan. This month is: January 15, 2006. Not enough info for me so research was requited. This is what I have found: In A.D. 604, the lunar calendar used in China was adopted for I searched but I couldn’t find any reference to festivals or actual bonfires being held. From what I can tell from my students: Most Japanese people go to the shrines to pray for the New Year during the first few days of Shogatsu. At this time they bring back last years good luck charms and buy new charms. These charms are for family health, safe driving, and general safety. The returned charms are collected by the priests and fro what I can tell, are all burned in a giant fire on Koshogatsu. This link has some pictures explaining this a little better. Tondo Matsuri So Happy Koshogatsu Everyone!! UPDATE: Illahee just left this link in the comments section and it is great! I never even thought of checking flickr, duh! FESTIVAL PICS!! Update 2: Today’s Blessings: - Li worked last night and today as well but he woke up an hour early so that I could go food shopping with out Ji. (No car and it is raining) Made the rest of the day hassle free. - Li and I were able to trim Ji’s nails with out a single scream. Actually this is a bloody miracle as nail trimming usually results in a total melt down by Ji. Posted by (Top)Andrea::1/14/2006 :: 10 Comments: |