Year of the Rabbit

The card sending tradition in Japan is all about wishing others a Happy New Year! Postcards (nengajō) are sent annually to family, friends, work colleagues...
Here are some of the cards we have received in the mail so far.



If you look closely you will see that many of the cards have pictures of bunny rabbits on them.

Before 1873, Japanese New Year was based on the Chinese lunar calendar. Even though the Japanese now follow the Gregorian calendar, they blended the two cultures by having New Year's celebrated on January 1 and by recognizing the Chinese zodiac sign of the New Year. The Chinese zodiac has a cycle of 12 years. Each year is represented by a different animal.

And 2011... is the rabbit.

Happy Year of the Rabbit everyone!

(shinnen) akemashite o-medetō-gozaimasu (Happiness to you on the dawn [of a New Year])

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