Month: January 2025

Kai Choshizuka Tumulus, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kai_Ch%C5%8Dshizuka_Kofun; https://www.sonekyuryo.jp/en/map/map06/; https://etsuo.tokyo/2022/02/

A tree in Kai Choshizuka Tumulus, Sone Kyuryo Park, Kofu, Yamanashi, 1/18/2025

Views of Mount Kita, Sone Kyuryo Park, Kofu, Yamanashi, 1/18/2025

The first full Moon in Japan this year was observed on January 14, 2025. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac in the USA, the full Moon in January is called the Wolf Moon.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Farmer%27s_Almanac; https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/skywatching/the-next-full-moon-is-the-wolf-moon/; https://eco.mtk.nao.ac.jp/koyomi/yoko/2025/rekiyou253.html.en

Full Moon, Kofu, Yamanashi, 1/14/2025

In Japan, there is a custom of eating seven-herb rice porridge on January 7th to promote good health and ward off evil spirits in the coming year.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanakusa-no-sekku; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jinjitsu; https://www.foodinjapan.org/japan/nanakusa-gayu

A set of seven herbs, produce of Hakone Seiroku Mishima Yasai* in the city of Mishima, Shizuoka Prefecture, Kofu, Yamanashi, 01/07/2025

(Bottom, left to right): Chickweed (Stellaria media) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stellaria_media; Japanese radish (Raphanus sativus) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daikon; Water dropwort (Oenanthe javanica) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oenanthe_javanica; Turnip (Brassica rapa) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turnip; Shepherd’s purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capsella_bursa-pastoris

(Top, left to right): Shepherd’s purse; Cudweed (Pseudognaphalium affine) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudognaphalium_affine; Nipplewort (Lapsana communis) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lapsana_communis

* Hakone Seiroku Mishima Yasai: https://hakoneseirokumishimayasai.jp/?lang=en

FYI: https://www-kodama–foods-co-jp.translate.goog/sihan/nanakusa?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=ja&_x_tr_pto=wapp

Happy New Year!

This year 2025 is the year of the snake in the Chinese zodiac (though China starts its zodiac from January 29). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snake_(zodiac)

Snake Dharma doll by Arai Darumaya, Kofu, Yamanashi, 01/01/2025

https://arai-darumaya.com/