〜First day of the last month of the year 乙子の正月〜

Today is December 1st and, of course, December is the last month, so you could refer to it as the youngest child and so today marks the New Year of the youngest.  My grandfather on my mother’s side used to talk about this “New Year of the youngest child”.  However, I don’t recall what kind of food he prepared to celebrate the day.  I only thought of buying mochi or rice cakes at a neighborhood grocery store.  For, we Japanese often relate the food with festive occasions.  I am certain my grandfather didn’t buy them but instead he made them himself, though.

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If you have a favorite character or phrase that you would like me to write, please let me know by sending it (them) to my address, chio_art@yushokai.com

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今日は12月1日で、12月は最後の月だから「末っ子の月」と考えられます。それで今日は末っ子の元日で、母方の祖父がよくこの「乙子の正月(末っ子の正月)」を言っていたと思います。けれども、どういう食べ物などでどういうふうに祝っていたのかは覚えていません。とりあえず、近所のスーパーでお餅を買ってきました。祖父は買わないで作ったでしょうけれど。

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さて、私の書で見てみたいと思われるお好きな字や、言葉などがありましたら、chio_art@yushokai.com宛にお教えください。

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Star draws nigh to the treetop/

O, the month of December/

Calligraphy and translation by Chio

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〜Floating mum petals 重陽の節句とおじさんの気持ち〜

Today falls on September 9th in the old calendar, Double Ninth Festival.  I wrote a short poem by Li Bai on this event, namely, people drinking and dancing.  An interpretation on this poem goes, “In China there was a tradition that going up a hill and drinking saké with floating chrysanthemum petals could drive away evil spirits.  As the poet had just been ousted from the capital around that time, you can feel his disappointment from the poem.  However, at the same time, his mettle of “going my way” can be felt, as well.”

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If you have a favorite character or phrase that you would like me to write, please let me know by sending it (them) to my address, chio_art@yushokai.com

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今日は旧暦の九月九日、つまり重陽の節句にあたりますので、この日についての李白の短い詩を書きました。ある解説では、「中国ではこの日に小高い丘に登って菊酒を飲むと邪気払いになるという伝説があるが、ちょうどこの頃作者は都を追われ、この詩からは失意の様子が伺われるが、また同時に、『我が道を行く』という気概も感じられる」とのことです。

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さて、私の書で見てみたいと思われるお好きな字や、言葉などがありましたら、chio_art@yushokai.com宛にお教えください。

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