Japanese Expressions

by Robert George<br>Haiku by Celeste Heiter, Feb 12, 2002 | Destinations: Japan / Tokyo
Every year on November 15, Japan celebrates Shichi-Go-San - Children's Day. Dressed in their very finest garments, girls and boys aged three, boys aged five, and girls aged seven, go with their families to nearby shrines, where they line up, sometimes for hours, to await their turn to be blessed by the presiding priest. After the blessing, the child is presented with a gift of long sticks of candy called chitose-ame, "thousand year sweets," wrapped in ornate bags decorated with cranes and turtles, both symbols of longevity.

Every year on November 15, Japan celebrates Shichi-Go-San - Children's Day. Dressed in their very finest garments, girls and boys aged three, boys aged five, and girls aged seven, go with their families to nearby shrines, where they line up, sometimes for hours, to await their turn to be blessed by the presiding priest. After the blessing, the child is presented with a gift of long sticks of candy called chitose-ame, "thousand year sweets," wrapped in ornate bags decorated with cranes and turtles, both symbols of longevity.

Every year on November 15, Japan celebrates Shichi-Go-San - Children's Day. Dressed in their very finest garments, girls and boys aged three, boys aged five, and girls aged seven, go with their families to nearby shrines, where they line up, sometimes for hours, to await their turn to be blessed by the presiding priest. After the blessing, the child is presented with a gift of long sticks of candy called chitose-ame, "thousand year sweets," wrapped in ornate bags decorated with cranes and turtles, both symbols of longevity.
The exotic flavors of Japanese cuisine are enhanced by the beauty of its presentation. A simple meal of dried fish, pickled vegetables and steamed rice becomes a feast for the eyes as well as for the palate when served in an elegant lacquered box. Itadakimasu, a prayer of thanks is offered before dining. It means, "I gratefully partake."
This red banner hangs in an antique store in Gunma Prefecture outside Tokyo. The large white kanji symbols in the center denote a location near a university, the identity of which is obscured from view. And the handwritten script on either side represents two male names: Ichiro and Osamu. Who knows who they were or what has become of them.
After a hard day's work, many Japanese people come home to enjoy a relaxing soak in a steaming hot furo bath, after which they don freshly laundered cotton yukata for the evening's leisure.

A story told with photos.

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