kenleewrites in 日本

I experienced my first Dondo Yaki (どんど焼き). It’s a Japanese event associated with the New Year when families get together at the shrine to send off the Toshigami (歳神) by burning off new year decorations.

Long ago, Japan used the lunar calendar and this event was held on the 15th day. Pretty similar to the chinese lantern festival which is held on that particular day. However, Japan has since switched to using the Georgian calendar and rest is recent history. Like Seijin no hi (成人の日) which is held on the second Monday in January, dondo Yaki (どんど焼き) is held on either the second Sunday or Monday in January. I guess when depends on your local shrine.

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The skies over Tokyo were extremely clear on new year’s eve. Every single star was there in plain sight, waiting to welcome the new year. Can you see the stars in that photo? And no, that photo above is not a HDR picture.

I was doing what I always do this time of the year. Watch Kohaku Uta Gassen and rushing off to the local shrine for 初詣 (hatsumoude) 20 minutes just before midnight. Hatsumoude is a very important event in Japan. It marks the first visit to the Shinto shrine at the beginning of the year.

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Every year, I always stay up for the first sunrise.

This year was just ever slightly so different. I kinda dozed off while watching TV. Woke up in shock at 7am. Grabbed my trusty Nikon and ran out the door.

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Was out for dinner with the rest of the Tokyo Live Bloggers at Ebisu last night. It was our last get together for 2009 and we spent it eating hainanese chicken rice!

Unfortunately, the only prize I got for getting there early was a choice of where to sit at the table of 10. ^^.

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Have you been to the Tokyo International Forum in Ginza? Just off Yurakucho Station along the JR Yamanote Line. I was there last week for the Keio Techno Mall. This annual event is organized by Keio University’s Faculty of Science and Technology.

Entry is free and the event showcases some of the cutting edge research currently being brewed within the Faculty’s four walls.
It is a great chance for folks in the industry as well as you and I to check out how academic research is going to change the world. ^^.

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