Naritasan temple, Photo: Patrick Dep
Dont go to Futenma, Misako warns. The enchantress there is very jealous.You might have relationship problems this year.Im an American living in Okinawa, as well as my friend Misako is giving advice. Its New Years Eve, as well as everyone during a celebration were during is talking about where theyre starting for hatsumode, a initial tabernacle revisit of a year. All over Japan, people group to shrines to respect Shinto deities as well as have wishes.
Naritasan is better, she says as well as offers me a bowl of toshikoshi soba.
Toshikoshi in Japanese equates to to see a old year out, so its customary to eat a prolonged thin soba noodles upon December 31st.
Unlike in a US where we typically let lax upon New Years Eve during a bar as well as afterwards snooze a whole subsequent day, this year Im celebrating Japanese style. That equates to we outlayed a whole week scheming emotionally, financially, as well as even gastronomically. According to custom, we furiously spotless my residence to eliminate a evil spirits. we paid bills as well as settled debts in sequence to have a clean money slate. we even stocked up upon mochi, rice cakes, as well as noodles.
Mochi, Photo: Rowena
Most importantly, we let go of my thought of January 1st as a day of recovery. Instead, New Years Day in Japan is a time for socializing with family, saying prayers, as well as being aware of a integrity we wish to bring in your life. Its certainly not a day to be outlayed curled up in a round upon a couch.
At midnight, Misako turns upon a TV. Many Japanese revisit a tabernacle upon New Years Eve to watch a rite ringing of a hulk bell 108 times, meant to free us of sins committed over a last year. Were all as well l! azy to l eave a party, so we watch it from her living room as well as afterwards hear firecrackers go off outside. We outlay a rest of a night personification Jenga as well as celebration awamori, a internal rice wine.
The subsequent morning, groggy yet determined, we find out Naritasan. Its a one-stop tabernacle portion a squeeze bag of spiritual needs. Whether its a higher-paying job or a baby we desire, Misako assures me deities there will be receptive.
Perched upon a side of a mountain, Naritasan Shrine faces a Pacific Ocean. Its a pleasing fresh day as well as we dont think about all about my hangover headache.
Entering a grounds, we feel similar to Im during a county fair. Colorful booths have been offered boiled noodles as well as yakitori, yet there have been corn dogs as well as funnel cakes too. The atmosphere is gratifying as well as people everywhere, including toddlers, have been embellished out in kimono as well as traditional dress. Whats more, unless my eyes deceive me, we even spy Mexican wrestling masks for sale.
As we travel up a steps to a categorical hall, a news organisation approaches as well as asks, Nihongo daijobu desu ka?
They wish to know if we speak Japanese so they can do an interview.
Ive been taking classes for several months, as well as we agree confidently. But when a camera shines upon me as well as a contributor sticks a microphone in my face, we freeze.
What is your goal for a new year? a contributor asks switching to English.
Like an awkward pageant contestant, we stammer, Um, we wish complacency as well as good health for all.
O-mamori charm, Photo: Timothy Takemoto
I wait in a prolonged line of people purifying themselves before facing a deities. They stand in front of a fountain as well as wash their hands methodically as well as wash out their mouths. we do a same as well as afterwards have my round! through a categorical hall.
Afterwards, we pull through a bustling crowd to a shop offered o-mamori, or good luck charms. They have been generally beneficial if we need to pass an critical examination or wish to find love. People can revisit a tabernacle any time of year to purchase one, yet Misako positive me that New Years Day is best as there is an generally well-stocked selection.
I decide to pass upon a appeal as well as settle upon an omikuji, or created happening instead. we dump a 100-yen silver into a wooden box as well as name an English one. When we open a paper, we find personalized advice in 12 categories including MISSING THING, GAME AND MATCH, CHILDBIRTH, as well as MARRIAGE PROPOSAL among others.
While we am pleased with a CHILDBIRTH as well as ILLNESS categories (patience advised for both) as well as REMOVAL (be in no hurry), we feel a little uneasy with a little of a others. Like for example, EXPECTED VISITOR, that vaguely warns me that something will be wrong with him or her. Then theres GAME AND MATCH, that tells me we will triumph yet will feel guilty about it. And finally, MARRIAGE PROPOSAL advises me to find out a secret arranged marriage.
Overall, though, we cant complain about my general augury for a year. Unlike others who might embrace a prophecy such as CURSED, POOR, or even only GOOD, Ive received a VERY GOOD.
Walking back towards a entrance, we pass fences as well as trees decorated with alternative peoples discarded fortunes. In Japan, if we dont similar to your fate, we can simply tie a trip of paper onto a bend as well as travel away.
Exiting a shrine, we stop during a food counter as well as buy a crater of comfortable sweet sake. Then we have my way down a steps as well as back home for a snooze upon a couch.
Community Connection
Read about Marys experience on vacation a internal happening teller in Japan.
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