Snowfall, Springtime, Setsubun
Sunshine!
Pan-heated soybeans (called irimame) are thrown either out the door or at a member of the family wearing an Oni (demon or ogre) mask, while the throwers chant "Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!" (鬼は外! 福は内!). The literal meaning of the words is something like "Demons (or evil spirits) out! Luck (or blessing) in!" The beans are thought to symbolically purify the home by driving away the evil spirits that bring misfortune and bad health with them.
Note to the wise, there is a REASON this comes once a year, the bean packet is strategically designed to fall over, spill and disperse beans throughout ones' home. Ahh so many happy memories and bean eating.
However just like in crazy Australia, the weather has gone ape shit and is now bloody freezing once again, a relief to wear new winter clothes from the sales. In other news...there is no news. Febuary, a minorly depressing month working 6.5 days a week and the thrills of the coming few months lying tantalisingly in wait...sumo...chilli peppers...mt fuji...disneyland...mt fuji rock festival...beach trip....taiwan...universal studios...south korea...beijing...tokyo...cherry blossoms...geisha time...birthday season...visits from home...caramello koalas...
sigh!
Peace out,
CLM xx
posted by japanesetakeout @ 3:04 AM
1 Comments:
Nice to be updated on your life Claire. Listening to lost in translation soundtrack in the library while reading your posts and felt connected to your experience... You really are a fantastic writer. Your last post was extremely readable (not sure if "readable"is a great literary description, but hey - it works). It was awesome to talk to you on the phone the other day too. Lovely to hear your voice.
I'm in exams at the moment trying to keep on top of things. Hapy and well though. Life is great. Snakes and ladders was the analogy someone gave me for their life the other day. I like it. Right now I'm not hitting those squares. Maybe a few small snakes and one or two ladders, but pretty steady. ALthough a bit abstract, that's my best description :D Lots of love to you. Davey
Post a Comment
<< Home