Happy New Year 2009
Sunday, January 4th, 2009I finally found time to sort the few photos I took at the kanetsuki ceremony we attended late 31 December/1 January. In Japan it is a tradition that you go to either a shrine or a temple on the last day of the year, and wait for midnight. You then wish everyone a happy new year (akemashite omedetou) and often add a “kotoshi mo yoroshiku” which translates to something like “thank you in advance (for your services) also in this year” - expressing your gratitude for whatever favours you may receive from the other party in the new year.
Last year we went to Suwa jinja, a shrine close to where we live, but this year instead we decided to visit the 西光寺 Saikoji temple, the one which is managed by the Iwakura’s, Saeko-chan’s parents! We went there about 15 minutes before midnight and I had plenty of time to take photos.
The bell which is mounted in a small wooden bell tower according to tradition has to be rung exactly 108 times. The visitors are encouraged to go up in the tower and ring the bell, and both kids and adults vigorously took part in that. Takako and I photographed each other rining the bell, and then went down again to heat up near the fire in front of the temple.
It is beautiful little ceremony and you get a chance to meet some of the other people in your neighborhood, a little like the Danish Sct. Hans Aften. We met Jun, a friend of Takako’s brother, and also talked to Atsuko and her husband.
It was quite cold so we didn’t stay that long after midnight. Also, Junya was waiting for us at home (sleeping) but when we came home he woke up and we took him downstairs where he was sitting in his favorite chair wondering what happened to 2008!








