Happy New Year!

The year 2019 has come! In Japan, many people visit a shine or temple at the beginning of year and pray for good luck. I went to Gosha Shrine in downtown around the midnight of New Year’s Eve. There were already many people standing in lines in front of the building. So, I had to wait under the stairs, following the instruction of the security guard.

After countdown, I heard powerful sound of a drum beaten slowly. It was the sign of arrival of new year, and I heard cheers among the crowd. The lines of people started move forward slowly to make a prayer.

Though there were so many people, I could reach the front of the offertory box smoothly. I threw a coin into the box, clapped my hands twice, and prayed. My hatsumode or the first shrine visit of the year was finished.

After coming home, I checked the horoscope in 2019 on the Internet and went to bed.

According the Chinese calendar, this year is the Year of the Boar. In Japan, most New Year’s cards are delivered exactly on January 1, and I received some cards with boars printed.

  
In China and some other Asian countries, this is the Year of the Pig, a symbol of good fortune. I hope that 2019 will be a prosperous year for you all!