CHRISTMAS in TAKAMATSU
2012年12月14日
With the year rapidly drawing to a close and the cycle of seasons complete with winter, Christmas is upon us again. Now we’re in the three to four week period before the event known as Advent (called taikosetsu in Japanese). Traditionally, this a time for contemplation and prayer, and Christians prepare themselves to celebrate the birth of Jesus in the liturgical calendar.
In modern Japan, we’re presented with a commercial season, cakes which just aren’t quite Christmas-like, sponge cakes to be blunt and all the glitter of a Western Christmas with trees decorated everywhere and the preparations for the Takamatsu Winter Festival in the Central Park.
All around the city of Takamatsu are Christmas trees and I saw one in the port area with little wishes written on then tied on to the tree. Much like the new year’s ‘ema’ (絵馬) are small wooden plaques on which Shinto worshippers write their hopes for the new year.
Given that Christmas in Japan is still a rather new event, the people have taken to it as a season for gift giving & parties. I like that, but I also like the time-for-reflection aspect so often left out; on asking ourselves who we are and our place in the great scheme of things. My most interesting Christmases here have been on silent 9-day retreats at a Zen monastery in Okayama without heating. But that’s another story..
There are a few wonderful trees in the city and my favorite is this one in the central arcade under the dome.
The beautiful blue color is perfect for the freezing temperatures and it even has view ports.
I asked the young lady what could she see and she said that it was a kaleidoscope.
Takamatsu & Christmas are very compatible, the people seem to be full of the right spirit and it’s a happy time.
I’ll be back in January reporting on some interesting art events going on in the city after the New Year. Until then, stay safe & warm.
"Pat has lived in Takamatsu continuously since arriving here on a one year study and leave 1981. Originally from Tasmania, Australia, he was involved in education at a variety of levels including as a specialist teacher for children with learning difficulties, and at senior high schools throughout the state. Pat is employed full-time by the i-pal Kagawa International Exchange as a co-oridintaor for international relations amongst other duties including traveling to schools and giving talks in Japanese to kids about Australia. He has been involved with youth education exchanges between Japan and Australia for many years.
Pat has been many things in his colorful life including a seaman, helmsman, welder, carpenter, traffic warden, scholarship/studentship winner at the university of Tasmania, staff at the Australian Embassy in London to name but a few. Pat has far too many hobbies which include tennis, playing jazz flutes and saxes, riding bicycles with the Takamatsu Cycling Club all of which his long-suffering family tolerate. Recently he's become interested in painting again. His wife wishes he would put more time in to helping around the house and the garden which he artfully avoids ..."
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Posted by pat at 21:23
