it’s kind of sad if you don’t know the meaning…

yes,
no fireworks in Japan on the newyear’s eve,
yet there was dozens of "goong…." from the temples around Kyoto.

there was no champagne that night,
but there was toshikoshi soba (buckwheat noodle) dinner,
a symbol of longevity.

there was no friends that night,
but hey, there was family.

Japanese views every new year as a fresh, new, clean start.
They hold Bonenkai parties (year forggeting parties) to leave behind the old year’s worries and troubles.
That’s what I am going to do.
No more fireworks.

~ by dhanio on January 2, 2007.