Ōmisoka

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by: Reiko Nishioka, Director of Education  Ōmisoka is the last day of the year. It is a significant and also very busy day when families make final preparations for the New Year, Oshogatsu.  The preparation starts in the middle of December. Temples, shrines and many homes do a thorough house cleaning. Its purpose is to cleanse one’s mind and home of the past year’s accumulation of dust, dirt and soot. Toward the end of the year, businesses and organizations have a party called Bōnen-kai, which means a forget-the-year party. It …

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3, 5 and 7

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By: Reiko Nishioka, Director of EducationOn November 15th, 3 and 5 year-old boys and 3 and 7 year-old girls pay a visit to a shrine or temple to pray to grow up to a healthy adulthood.  In addition, November weekends are crowded with formally dressed parents and children wearing formal kimono or Western clothes which for boys are handsome suits and for girls are beautiful dresses. You will know children are 3, 5 or 7 years old because they carry a long paper bag called chitiseame.  This candy bag has either …

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Taiiku no Hi

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By: Reiko Nishioka, Director of Education, Morikami Museum On October 1st, Japanese people traditionally change their summer wardrobe to warmer clothes.  Even though the weather still may be warm, students change into long-sleeved shirts and jackets, and business men change to darker colored suits of  heavier materials. In Japan, this is called koromogae, a sign of fall. Also, in early fall, the Japanese celebrate a special day. This year, this national holiday falls on Monday, October 11th.  Do you know what the Japanese are celebrating? I will give you some …

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Memories of Bon – A Festival like No Other

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This year, Bon is August 14 from 4-9 p.m. at the Morikami. If you have never been, wear comfy shoes and clothes, arrive early and marvel at the mix of humanity – because everyone goes to Bon sooner or later. Buy tickets at www.blogarchive.morikami.org/bon