Friday, December 26, 2014

Year End Tradition and "Kanreki.還暦;

Sorry about unmatched Christmas header and sidebar, they are for the newer post;
(posted; Japanese culture page)

      According to the Oriental Zodiac, next year is the year of 'sheep'.
We have 12 animals blocks in the sign and you can read your characteristics analysis from this page.  May interesting:-) 
It happened that I was born in the sheep year. Means you can guess how old I will be (12×5) haha. When you become 60 years old, we call the year of the person "kanreki. 還暦"   Which can be considered "sixty first" calendar year.  '還' has the meaning of return.
As  it is connected to the idea of rebirth, we celebrate this special year with family. Makes me feel "Time Flies' (^^;)  Here is the long explanation page for each different festive year.
These are the new year cards from picture page; I've already sent them writing a little note and about 80 cards all together with my husband's. Nowadays, many young people do this greeting through mobile-phone or PC, setting that the message will be reached at the new year day. 


   They are the sheep I was given when I visited New Zealand with a Group;
Oh, you have us in the Oriental Zodiac,. aren't we CUTE ♪

*This goat is from this June's post about Children's Fair at our city park*
She or he is the closest picture I have for this topic and wished to link to "Saturday's critters" and  "Nature Notes"
My late mother used to tell me I had an experience having goat's milk when baby. Seeing this adorable animal first time then, I had a little close feeling :-)
Thanks for featuring me again;


*Straw Festoon or New Year Wreath*
And these are the 'shimekazari. しめ飾り' I bought for the front and back door.  Normally, we decorate them around 28th; avoiding 29th as 9 is the number with the same pronunciation with 'suffer' in Japanese.
            


I have one post going to be ready before year end; Wishing you're not too busy around this season, my friends.  Visiting you SOON♪
        Oh, accidentally I hit the post button a day earlier(^^;)   


25 comments:

  1. I love this kind off cards ! I love also more real postcards maybe the old fashion way but nothing so nice to recieve a real nice card..

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  2. Sweet shots. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas!

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  3. Beautiful !
    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year !

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  4. It is so much fun reading your blog with all the information on language and tradition. The little goat is so cute!

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  5. those are beautiful cards. and i like the wreaths festoons! and i really like the 61st year notoriety. :)

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  6. I'm an inoshishi (sounds much better than wild boar) :))
    You made beautiful cards, I like the one from the top right because of it's way of writing.
    Thank you Miyako!
    【ツ】Knipsa

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  7. I like your cards and your wreath. It's very interesting to read about your traditions. Thanks for sharing.

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  8. Such lovely cards and photos! Happy day to you and may all your holiday traditions and celebrations be filled with joy and love!

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  9. Beautiful, Miyako!!! Hope you had a great Christmas. :)

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  10. Wow, 80 cards, that is a lot! But I bet recipients will really appreciate your nengajo especially because people nowadays send out e-cards through mobile phone or PC as you mentioned. It's always nice yo receive real card with hand writing :-) Sheep from New Zealand are so cute! That is one of the countries I'd like to visit dome day.
    Your shimekazari are gorgeous! I didn't know about avoiding 29th for decoration. I always learn new things here :-)
    Have a lovely day, Miyako san!

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  11. Dearest Miyako,
    Guess my maternal Grandmother was Japanese as she always mentioned you are in your next year.
    Love the sheep and yes, goat milk we also used, canned, for feeding one of our kittens that lacked behind. It seems to be very complete milk and better than from a cow. Smart way that people figured this all out. Glad you got your goat milk and can now write about it.
    Thos straw decorations look so much like the ones in Bali and also on Java... Makes me happy to see. Loved also observing the people making them with their nimble fingers!
    Sending you hugs for the last weekend of 2014.
    Thanks for being a loyal friend over this entire year; many blessings to both of you!
    Mariette

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  12. Hello Miyako, I love the pretty note cards..And the sheep and goat are so cute.. Adorable critters. The straw wreath is pretty, a lovely decoration for your door.. I wish you and your family a very Happy New year! Thank you for linking up and sharing your post.. Have a happy weekend!

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  13. Very beautiful. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas, Boxing Day and have a brilliant New Year.

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  14. All your pictures are cute and thanks for the info!

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  15. The goat is adorable and the cards are very pretty. I wish you and your family a Happy New Year 2015!

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  16. Wow - wishing you an early Happy New Year of the Sheep, looks like it will be a big year and a good year for you! I love the idea of sending out happy New Year cards, they did Bonne Annee Cards when we lived in Belgium.
    As always I love learning about all things Japanese - we have the Japan Soccer team coming to Melbourne for the Asian Cup in a few weeks I will cheer loudly for them from you!
    Wren x

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  17. Wow! Fascinating cards. Love the sweet goat. So you were born in the year of the sheep (doesn't the new year start in November?)I was born in the year of the dragon and so was my daughter...my husband is a tiger. We tease and say we are "dragon ladies." :-)

    Hope you have a wonderful year this year! Sheep are sweet and gentle, which is probably better than dramatic dragons! Perhaps the dragon has its good qualities too. :-)

    All my best to you and yours, dear Miyako! Your posts are always so interesting.

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  18. Happy New Year of the Sheep,Miyako San!
    Your Otosanwa takusan kirina camera ga captured them so beautiful.
    sheeps from your best happy with your family too.
    Okaradani kiotucate kudasai mase Otosan tone!
    Michiko

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  19. My husband was also born in the year of the sheep! :) I am a horse!

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  20. Beautiful post ~ love the sheep and animals of the years ~ Lovely photos ~

    Happy New Year,
    artmusedog and carol
    xoxoxo

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  21. Beautiful post ~ love the sheep and animals of the years ~ Lovely photos ~

    Happy New Year,
    artmusedog and carol
    xoxoxo

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  22. The note cards area delight. Happy New Year to you and your family.

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  23. Oh I wish you a very happy Kanriki year. I like the idea of rebirth .... But I am old enough now to need to need another one!

    The cards are beautiful. I'm very glad to see them done the "real " way... They wouldn't be the same electronically!

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  24. Happy New Year Miyako. I love learning more about your traditions. And I love the cards. So much is done by text now, but I love cards to save. Michelle

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