made in Japan

During the New Year's holidays in Japan, the whole country is enveloped with sacredness. From the New Year’s Day to January 3rd, every business is officially closed. Heavy traffic disappears and the air gets clear and pristine. At night, there is almost nobody on the streets and the lights in office buildings go off for 3 days, instead, the light of the moon vigorously falls down from the deep blue night sky. Only the temples and shrines are the places to hang out. On the New Year’s Eve, all the temples through out the country start ringing a bell at the same time for 108 times from before the midnight and last till after the midnight. People endlessly show up either in the shrines or temples for the New Year’s pray at any time of those days.

This year, I spent the New Year’s holidays in Japan, which I had missed for 2 years. I’ve complained about Japan often, but I have to say I was completely stunned and touched by the whole thing this time. It was the absolutely surreal, blessed, extraordinary experience. Soaked into the sound of serenity and the spiritual vibe, I felt as if I were reborn again. Good (too good) food, good hot springs all over, peaceful and kind people, the mountains… I was just grateful that I was born in this country. (It actually took me almost seven years to feel that way.)

When I saw the sun rising over the mountain on the New Year’s Day, I straitened up my back. I said to myself, “Yes, my resolution for the year of 2009 is to keep my back straight.” In another words, the backbone that has supported my life and myself is indeed made out of what this country taught me, which I never even thought about ever. So, I will straight that up and be proud of myself, yes, “made in Japan.”