Photo courtesy of Anne Cisney. It is late December. The days are getting shorter, the air colder, and across the country millions of people are preparing to begin the annual migration from the fast-paced cities in which they live and work, to their home towns, their furusato .
Shopping malls sport festive decorations and ring with seasonal music.
Plane, train, and bus tickets in hand, the thoughts of many travelers turn to the friends, family members, traditional holiday food and popular annual television programs which are such an integral part of the most family-oriented holiday of the year. He, and Christmas, have already come and gone. This important winter holiday, called Oshogatsu , is an ancient New Year's celebration which remains a cornerstone of the Japanese festival calendar. Beginning around December 29th and lasting until January 3rd, Oshogatsu is a time for making a fresh start, enjoying the company of friends and relatives, and praying for a safe, happy New Year. It is something like the American Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Eve traditions all rolled into one.