New Year's Day is the single most important holiday in Japan, so it's not surprising that there's an immediacy to the traditions here that I admire.
The holiday begins at the stroke of midnight. The temple bells ring out and the new year rushes in, but as far as I can tell the Japanese don't focus on making New Year's resolutions. Instead, they focus on the first experiences they have in each new year: their first sunrise, first kiss, first smile, laugh, and prayer, and because of this, on New Year's Day the faithful flock to temples and shrines all over Japan to pray for peace and good fortune in the coming year.
This year, we went with them.
We wandered through the city of Kamakura...
experimenting...
...with street food, and admiring...
...the details, and the delicate...
...I was too busy...
...looking...
...at all the women...
...in their beautiful holiday kimono.
Happy New Year, friends! Welcome to the Year of the Dragon!
THAT explains why I saw Japanese women in kimonos today! I was wondering because it's not exactly usual to see kimonos sported on the streets in Thailand. Must have just been for the holiday tradition.
ReplyDeleteI love that idea of celebrating firsts. We had a really lovely first day of the new year, including a trip to the temple. I hope you enjoyed your first day too!
Oh, you have to GET one of those!! So beautiful!
ReplyDelete(And not nearly as frightening as the ocotopus on a stick...)
Happy New Year, Em!!
How cool! Thanks for sharing. I love that one, small, simple shift in thinking - celebrate the firsts of the year rather than the end.
ReplyDeleteThey are so beautiful. I didn't know their traditions but they sound beautiful.
ReplyDeleteOur sons girlfriend/life partner is Japanese but her family seems to be as American as we are.
Happy New Year!
They are beautiful, but they don't look very comfortable to wear.
ReplyDeleteLove all the pictures but the kimonos are stunning! Happy New Year and wishing you all the best in the coming year!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous.
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Oh, I would have been doing the same thing. So beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Emily!
Those are very pretty! Sounds like you had a nice little adventure! :)
ReplyDeleteHow cute would you and your girls look dressed in them? The pictures are really nice! Love your girls' expressions! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteWhat great photos, and yes, pretty kimonos. I bet it would feel wonderful to wear one.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
Lovely pictures. Those kimono are fabulous!
ReplyDeleteHope you too have a holiday kimono!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you and yours!
What a lovely way to spend New Year's Day! Thanks for sharing it with us...
ReplyDeleteamazing and beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLOVE the breathtaking kimonos. . .HATE socks and flip flops. . .LOL
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I love Kimonos and these are amazing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing them!
So many great posts Emily!
Happy New Year to you and your beautiful Family!
Felice 2012! :)
Love the pictures. They're so beautiful! Thanks for sharing them :)
ReplyDeletemmmm....the one front and center in the last photo is lovely! What a wonderful experience (well, the octopus pancake freaked me out a little!). I am glad you had the opportunity to soak it all in. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteOh, would you put up way more photos like this? Like a weekly kimono spotting? They're gorgeous, but they also give me a context for your so-far-away life. Happy new year, Em!
ReplyDeleteSounds strange but I never knew they had holiday ones or furs on them. They really are beautiful. Love your blog. I'll be checking out more of it.
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