The pussy willows are budding and there are a few ladybugs running around our classroom. There is still a tonne of snow on the ground here in the village, but with the light of longer days and festivals to celebrate...come hints that spring really is on its way.
We celebrated Setsubun (phase/dividing), on February 3. The adult male of the house dresses up as an oni (ogre) and the children throw soy beans (or peanuts here in Hokkaido) at him to force him out of the house. The song they sing is:
"oniwa soto." (evil get out)
"fukuwa uchi. (happiness or luck come in)
All of this happens about ten days before the lunar New Year marking the darkness of winter leaving and the longer days of spring beginning.
Hinamasturi (small dolls festival) was just celebrated on March 3. At this time every year, families display dolls to give thanks for their daughters' good health. Special sweets called sakura-mochi (cherry blossom-pounded rice) are also eaten. A friend visited us on March 3 and brought along some handmade sakura-mochi... sticky pink rice balls filled with sweet azuki bean paste all wrapped in cherry tree leaves. They were delicious!
If it wasn't for the nekoyanagi (cat willows), the ladybugs, and these special festivals, I would have a hard time believing that spring is around the corner. Look at the photo we took today on the ranch to see why!
"oniwa soto." (evil get out)
"fukuwa uchi. (happiness or luck come in)
All of this happens about ten days before the lunar New Year marking the darkness of winter leaving and the longer days of spring beginning.
Hinamasturi (small dolls festival) was just celebrated on March 3. At this time every year, families display dolls to give thanks for their daughters' good health. Special sweets called sakura-mochi (cherry blossom-pounded rice) are also eaten. A friend visited us on March 3 and brought along some handmade sakura-mochi... sticky pink rice balls filled with sweet azuki bean paste all wrapped in cherry tree leaves. They were delicious!
If it wasn't for the nekoyanagi (cat willows), the ladybugs, and these special festivals, I would have a hard time believing that spring is around the corner. Look at the photo we took today on the ranch to see why!
An old car on the ranch
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