As an ex-pat, holidays are hard because they remind us that our families are far away. Christmas is especially hard in Japan because its elements are synthesized and reconstituted in ways familiar and bizarre, just close enough to remind us of what we don't have. Over the years of late, Christmas has lost it's meaning for me and New Year's has replaced it.
Growing up I never liked New Year's. In America, it's definitely an adult holiday, which is characterized by drunken revelry which for me held zero appeal. But since living in Japan, it's become one of my favorite holiday. I love the saying goodbye to the old and embracing the new, making a clean sweep of one's mental, emotional, and physical households. A new year full of new beginnings is something everyone can enjoy, regardless of religious or political leanings.
So today we had a few friends over. We ate and talked and drank. And I realized that to a Japanese person, using 3-tiered bento, the kind traditional New Year food (おせちりょうり) is served in, to hold Christmas cakes and cookies is probably really, really weird. Just like using an obi for a table runner--or any number of other cross-cultural clashes that make me peculiarly me. English fruitcake, Scottish whiskey pie, New Mexican biscochitoes, German anise cookies, Greek baklava, Swedish almond butter cake, all served on Japanese dishes. Yes, it's all part of who I am now. A strange amalgamation. But do you know what I really wanted? Sushi. For some reason, any time there is a special gathering, I crave large platters of sushi. How I miss New Year's in Japan!
あけましておめでとうございます.
By the way, the little Russian nesting dolls were a going away gift from my best student, Ai Kaneko. Over one summer vacation, she went to Russia on a school trip and brought me these as omiage. So even Russian dolls remind me of my life in Japan. Some gifts remain with you forever.
More mix-and-match culture.
Posted by M Sinclair Stevens
January 01, 2004
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Happy New Year