Sunday, January 4, 2015

New Year's Visit to a local Shrine;

(posted; Japanese culture page)

We visited to a local shrine (Hatumoude) on 2nd;
We visit shrine mainly on first, second, or third to wish for the peace and health of the year. And buy new omamori,お守り (charms or amulets), the old ones are returned to the shrine so they can be burned. I bought some for us as well. 
(you might notice from my pictures that ladies no longer wear kimono like we used to do during this season, like my childhood days. My mom used to spruce up wearing them and I learned how to wear it from her.)

*Shinto gateway "鳥居.Torii" and we buy charm-amulets for varieties of purpose*
When I was buying charms, this lovely girl asked me why I'm taking pictures.
Yes, I showed my mobile-phone and she agreed to be on my blog :-) 

 *We reach the main [inner] shrine*
The pine tree was planted by crown prince.
Sacred horse (copper) was dedicated by a citizen last year to celebrate the 1,700th year of the shrine. Original one was offered to the government during the world warⅡ.
 As you can see, Paper Fortune being tied ;  
 We had cold New Year this year, so not so crowded than we expected.




*Extra tropic for New Year*

*New Year's gift money for kids 

Otoshidama is a Japanese custom in which adult give children money over the New Year's holiday when people visit neighbors, and relatives between January 1-3. 
Bills are folded into three sections and put into small envelopes like these, then handed to the children of close friends as well.
Usually kids are really looking forward to getting some spending money. Sure was happy and exciting new year days when young,





         Linking this post to, "Our World Tuesday" and "Good Fences"


Thank very much for your kind visits. My next post will be around next Friday.  Hope you all had wonderful family gathering season♪


28 comments:

  1. i LOVE that gateway! and the horse and gardens! what sweet customs you have. :) and i hope you have many blessings for your new year. :)

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  2. I love reading your posts because I always learn something about Japanese life and customs! I like your New Year's traditions.

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  3. Dear Miyako,

    Lovely and fascinating post and photos, thank you so much for sharing. You have a beautiful heart. God bless you.

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  4. Hello Miyako, thank you for sharing your visit to the Shrine.. So many pretty things to see, the gateway and the horse are wonderful. I also like the New Year's traditions. Happy New Year to you and your family..

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  5. I love hearing about your New Year traditions. And the Shrine with its beautiful gate are lovely. It is so amazing to me to be able to travel to your country (through your eyes). It is almost as good as really getting to visit. Thank you.

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  6. Dearest Miyako,
    It looks like being cold in the photo where those two girls are tying their paper fortunes.
    Wishing you both a stable and calmer 2015 with less emotions of sadness.
    Sending you hugs and blessings,
    Mariette

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  7. Thanks for sharing this Miyako. I enjoy learning about Japanese culture.

    Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu,
    Diana

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  8. Cold but looks like a beautiful day! I love these Yatai...as a child, getting food from them was one of my favorite things when visiting shrine for new year :-)
    The pine tree planted by crown prince looks gorgeous! And I love the statue of horse next to it.
    Oh, I was always looking forward to otoshidama!

    Stay warm and have a wonderful new week, Miyako san!

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  9. What a lovely shrine!

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  10. Your customs are so interesting. I hope you have a healthy and prosperous New Year.

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  11. very nice! looks like a busy place. happy new year to you :-)

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  12. Learned something new again Miyako :) But I miss a picture of the charms :) Are they to wear like a bracelet or to put on the wall?
    Greetings from Germany
    【ツ】Knipsa

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  13. Miyako ~ Wonderful post and photos of your customs for the New Year ~

    Happy New Year,
    artmusedog and carol
    xoxoxo

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  14. Your has beautiful coouned flowers shop owner with your husband's scquaintance.
    the sheep ornament you bought especially zodiacsign and yours. She will be very happy with your blog..
    Otoshdama:thease day are kidds notois of spending money watashimo Tanoshimine
    Otoshidama deshita.
    Todays a very hot day 39" now started lots of raining I'm very happy time des.
    Otosanto Tanoshiku Lots of both heart love time!
    Michiko

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  15. Oi Miyako, como é maravilhoso conhecer novas culturas... Seu blog é uma destas possibilidades em minha vida, obrigada por compartilhar conosco momentos tão especiais como este!
    As fotos estão lindas.
    Feliz 2015 com muita saúde, paz, harmonia e equilíbrio.
    Beijos.

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  16. It is lovely to learn about different customs but it is a bit of a shame that the tradition of wearing the kimono has stopped. The gateway and copper horse are beautiful

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  17. I still leaning more on your blog about things are by you ..I love the enveloppes...

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  18. Even though you no longer wear a kimono on such occasions, it's refreshing to know that some traditions have survived. Thank you for sharing them with us!

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  19. Thank you for a very interesting post. Love that impressive gate at the beginning.

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  20. It is so interesting to read about customs in different countries. I love that gateway.

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  21. What a great post. Its hard to wrap my mind around the Shrine being thousands of years old. How many souls have passed it on their journey. Delightful reading about the traditions and seeing the sights. Thanks for sharing, Miyako.

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  22. Thank you for taking me along too, with all your lovely photos. Sometimes it's so nice to have smaller crowds too. I always enjoy learning and hearing about your customs too. Enjoy your week.

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  23. It is so neat to learn about your culture and traditions. The shire is gorgeous. I love the bronze horse and that Pine is shaped so beautifully.

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  24. What a great and interesting place to go. Would have loved being their on your visit.

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  25. What a lovely post, I really enjoy coming here and learning something new about your culture. Hope you had a wonderful holiday, and wishing you a great new year. :)

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  26. Great photos, MIyako. The young lady in the kimono is lovely.

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  27. Love the photos!!!! And the story of the Japanese New Year. On a haiku meme we have been studying and learning about the celebrations.

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