Morgenrot is German and it means a morning glow where a ray of red light shines on the mountain line from the eastern sky early in the morning when the dawn is not over, and the mountains and clouds are dyed red. It is one of times when the mountain looks most beautiful.

Traditionally, New Year’s 2th is the first day of the bath. In the past it was usual to take a bath once every few days for various reasons. That’s why the first bath was a commemorative event, purifying the body and praying for a year-long safety.

The scenery of the New Year has changed. It is certain true that this is the change of the times, but it is about climate change that is worrisome. If it ’s a good change, there’s nothing to say, but I’m worried that it isn’t so likely.

I had a New Year letter from my son. Japanese ingredients are popular in Shanghai on a daily basis, but New Year’s Osechi dishes are especially so. China is the Lunar New Year, but New Year’s Osechi dishes make the dining table lively in China.

Happy New Year 2020!  This is the year of the Olympics. It is a celebration of peace and a year of looking over the world and the earth. There are many issues that need to be tackled. The issue of environmental destruction is an urgent issue.

Miwa Shrine in Nara is the oldest shrine in Japan. There is no shrine even after passing through the torii gate, and Mt.Miwayama behind it is the main deity. On the New Year’s Day, tens of thousands of people will go to worship.

About 70 years ago, there was a scene of making rice cakes everywhere in Japan.  Old and young men and women from all over the neighborhood gathered for this event.  Everyone was poor but the heart was rich.

I can only hear the gushing sound of the hot spring. Fun, sad, various memories of this year are reflected in the rising steam and are gone out. This now is the time of bliss.

This is a photo from Mika Yamasaki who lives near Shimanto River in Kochi Prefecture. Shikonnobotan is native to Brazil and blooms from autumn to winter. The name is because the flowers are large and conspicuous and have blue and purple colors.

Narcissus is already in full bloom on the coast of Pacific side of Japan. Narcissus is already in full bloom on the coast of Pacific side of Japan.  Narcissus is said to be a flower that tells the spring, but the New Year has not yet come.