Happy New Year's everyone. I can't believe it's 2008 already. One of the few Japanese traditions I have fully embraced is the idea of sending New Year's cards. I never liked sending Christmas cards, even though I like Christmas as a season, because I don't really believe in Santa Claus or Jesus or any of the sappy Christmas stuff that's on all the cards. But New Year's cards are different every year. This year (2008) is the year of the rat, so everyone draws something with a rat in it, and sends it to everyone they know. I sent about 60, mostly to old students or teachers, and I haven't gotten back but like 35 yet. The main reason for this is the postal system, which has been privatized in the past year and as such seems to be having major difficulties handling the load. They are supposed to collect them all and deliver them on the first, but of course they are so overloaded that if you don't get them in at least a week in advance, they're going to be late. I talked to someone who lives 10 minutes from my house, but who still hasn't gotten mine even though I sent it on the 26th. Anyway, here's the card I sent:

It was also Hana's first New Year's in this world. The tradition of Hatsumode dictates that everyone stay up, and then at midnight they should go to the temple and throw 5 yen coins at it and drink hot liquor. Needless to say, all the temples and shrines are completely packed, so we thought it better not to go. In truth, you can have your first visit anytime, so we went on the 1st in the afternoon, thinking it would be better to avoid the crowds with the baby and all. But it didn't work; even the next afternoon was completely full. But they keep everybody moving, so we got through in about 20 minutes.

When we were about halfway up to the altar, about 20 members of the Koshigaya Yakuza showed up in black suits and white ties, and very politely asked everyone to get out of the way, which they did without hesitation. All the young toughs formed a circle and sheltered their oyabun on his way up to the altar. And then they were gone, without incident. Sorry that story wasn't more interesting.