鏡開き kagami biraki New year's mochi eating

鏡開きして、スタッフの方がぜんざいをつくってくれたのでいただきましたーー

料理上手になりたい…！　

鏡は、もちが丸いので銅鏡とかに似ている。鏡は高級品で、神秘的な力があると信じられていた。

切る、とか壊す、は縁起が悪いので、縁起が良い「開く」という表現にした。そうな。勉強になる。

We had a kagami-mochi (stacked round rice cake with a mandarin orange on top for the new year) displayed at the entrance of our co-working space.  It was displayed from the end of December and till January 15th. Then, we will eat the mochi to have good luck.  This eating kagami-mochi is called "Kagami-biraki", which literally means to "open a mirror".  Why is that? 

In the ancient times, mirror was a precious object that only highly ranked nobles were able to posess.  Due to the rarity and the unique characteristic of "mirroring" images, mirrors were believed to have divine power.  Kagami, or mirror, is a special object, and round shaped mochi was named after it.

Verbs like "to break" or "to cut" were avoided because it might bring bad luck; instead, breaking kagami-mochi was described as "to open" it.  The verb open is associated with better luck, indicating wide possibilities and future prosperity.  So interesting!!

みんなで初詣〜〜 New Year's visit to a dragon shrine!

有志６人で、初詣に行きました☆　大人の遠足。車出してくれた方ありがとう…！　バスがあまり通っていない、車で行く甲斐のある、九頭竜神社へ！　辰年なので、うってつけです。そのあと、猫猫寺をひやかして、八瀬（やせ）天満宮にも。だーれもいなくて、静かなところでした。車中では話に花が咲き、夜は韓国焼肉を堪能！しました！！　深い話もできて、幸せ〜

Went to Hatsumode (New Year's visit to a shrine) with six of my 'co-workers'!  So called an excursion for adults.  Big thanks to the person who drove us around!  We went to Kuzuryu Shrine, which is not well served by buses and worth the drive!  Our visit is a perfect timing because it's the year of the dragon.  After that, we went to Nekonekoji Temple and Yase Tenmangu Shrine as well.  The area was quiet with mountains behind, with no one around.  In the car, we had a great time talking and enjoyed Korean barbeque at night!  We had deep conversations over dinner.  It is fortunate that I have coworkers whom I can engage in this kind of activities with.  So thankful.

Books read in 2023

The books I read in 2023!  Travel guides and a lot of psychology and mental health books. It well reflects my interests and mental states of last year.

Thai laab (タイのひき肉のサラダ)

タイラーブキットをもらったので、作ってみた！　ひき肉を茹でて、添付のソースと混ぜるだけ。超簡単に、本場の味。最近辛いものが美味しすぎる。でも、このぶっとい唐辛子…食べたら絶対火を吹くよね…？

I made laab, a Thai salad with ground meat.  Just boil some minced meat and toss it with sauces in the package.  Super easy and delicious!!

 

Micasa & Deco Kyoto でランチ

見た目はもちろん、ベジタリアンとは思えないほど。すごーく美味しかった…！

Micasa & Deco Kyoto, famous for fluffy pancakes but also for delicious vegetarian dishes. I mean, super delicious!

https://maps.app.goo.gl/QrGFGx4kgza6rdWKA

市比賣神社 Ichihime shrine

女性の神様、なんだそう。なんかそういう風に性別で区別されるの好きではないけど、通り道なので立ち寄ってみました。こぢんまりしているけど綺麗でお花がたくさん飾ってあって、いい感じ。

It is a shrine that's said to be for females.  I don't like to be identified by gender like that, but since I was passing by, I decided to stop by.  It was cozy but beautiful, with lots of flowers on display.

ゑびす神社 Ebisu shrine and New Year's decorations in Kyoto

新年の京都。ゑびす神社でマグロ一匹まるまる奉納されていたり。花街でもち花が飾られていたり、鐘馗（しょうき）を見かけたり。鍾馗は魔除けの力がある神様で、鬼より強い。屋根に乗っている。街で見かけるあらゆるものに意味と縁起があってすごく面白い…！ 

Beautiful and charming Kyoto during the new year's holiday season 🎉🐉🎍 A gigantic whole tuna was offered to the enshrined to wish for prosperity.  The last picture has Shoki, a legendary figure that's said to be stronger than oni demon. It sits on the edge of a roof and protects the house.  It's so interesting that every tiny thing has a meaning to it. 

儀式のあと。

まぐろーー！

五人囃子のような方々が実在した！

京都五大花街のひとつ、宮川町。

紋章は三つ輪。

しめ縄飾り！

もち花。その名の通り、小さいもちを柳の枝に付ける。

鍾馗さん。鬼より強い！