yas_chan

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"Botchan will appeal to parent, teacher, and schoolchild alike." said
Times Literary Supplement about this classic written by Soseki Natsume,
one of the most famous Japanese writers of all times. This book is
filled with hidden truths and wisdom of life.

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There is no other month as crowded with various tasks and duties as
December is for Japanese housewife. Doing some major year-end house
cleaning and preparing different foods and dishes is only part of their
tasks.

Housewife is usually the person who picks up the task of writing from
20 to several hundred new year cards, nenga-jo. Nenga-jo is similar to
the Christmas card tradition in the west.

There are several options for nenga-jo in Japan. Nowadays it seems to
be in fashion to print out the cards including family photo, but there
are other possibilities too. Post offices and stationery shops have
wide selection of various designs, that usually introduce the animal of
following year in 12 year calendar. Those who want to add another
dimension to the nenga-jo, can buy postcards featuring lottery numbers.
Some families design their own cards, by drawing or painting.

Note: Although Japanese don't usually send Christmas cards by
themselves - they will be more than happy to receive some. So it's
generally very good idea to send Christmas cards too.

Nenga-jo are usually put into special box in post office, and delivered
by the post office after 1st of January. Japanese people consider New
Year to be closed until it's opening day, 1st of January, so its
considered strange to receive nenga-jo before that day. In addition,
bereaved families do not usually post any New Year's cards. Instead
they will announce the death of their relative by a special card for
this purpose, beforehand. Post offices usually employ students who help
delivering huge loads of cards.