↑Happy New Year in 2009! How did you spend new years days? I went to Zenko-ji temple(善光寺) with my mother, which is located in Nagano city on 3rd in January. There are so many people!! In Japan, there are some traditions on new year.
I'd like to introduce one of Japanese new year tradition.
It is "Hatsumode" (初詣)! Hatsumode is the first visit to a Buddhist temple or shrine in a new year. There is the custom in Japan of making visit to temples or shrines at New Year, even if people are not Buddhist or Shinto believers, in order to pray for health and happiness in the new year. On the occasion of hatsumode, people give money offerings, draw lots for written oracles, and buy good luck charms. There are something to do in Hatsumode such as Osaisen, Omikuji, Ema, and so on.
At first, I visited a temple and thew in a coin. It is called Osaisen(お賽銭). Osaisen are offerings of money made when worshipping at Shinto shrines or Buddihist temples. Usually, there is an offertory box, where worshippers pray, tossing in any amount of money they wish, or else they offer money as thanks for prayers that have been answered. I prayed that Iwish I could get a good job this year! Next, I drew a fortune slip! It is called "Omikuji" (おみくじ) . The result was ... very good luck!! My mom was also same one! Omikuji are written oracles, obtained by drawing lots in which the good or bad luck of events is indicated when going to pray to Shinto shrines or Buddhist temples. One's overall fortune can range from outstanding to average to bad, covering various aspects of life such as academics, business, marriage proposals, and victory or defeat. At New Year most people visit shrines, and enjoy drawing omikuji. However, rather than for the purpose of actually learning about their fortunes, most people seem to draw them with a sense of playfulness. Omikuji are written on long narrow paper and usually are tied to trees after being read in hopes that their prayers will be answered. Then, I wrote Ema(絵馬) for the first time in my life! Ema are picture of horses drawn on wood, the upper part of which has a roof, and presented to temples and shrines when making vows or when one's prayer is answered offerings prayers. They are mostly used in praying for success in passing entrance exams. I wrote about my hope to Ema. After that, we had lunch and went shopping! I had a great time with my mother!!
I hope I could spend a good time and have lots of experiences in 2009!!
