Mom asked us to please take her to the cemetery to place flowers at the grave of my grandmother (her mother-in-law) and the columbarium of my father.
Then we went to the market to get some things in preparation for the new year which is probably more important to my mother than any other holiday at this time.
Mom wanted to pick up some hasu (lotus roots) so she could prepare it for my brother who loves it.
Hey! We love it too. But Dennis is her baby.
We looked at the kadomatsu and was tempted to get one. But darn, they're expensive and mom insists they have to be burned at the end of New Years. I told her we should keep it to reuse the next year, but she's adamant that they must be burned a certain amount of days later. I'll have to research this.
Since the kadomatsu is rather pricey, she said some people put these bamboo and pine branches up instead.
And I'm thinking... I wonder if I could grow some.
Mom also picked up more flowers at the market so we could bring them to the temple where she visits her friend and sadly tells her that she still misses talking to her.
Maybe we'll get the kadomatsu after all.
whatever you do, don't plant bamboo. They spread and grow like weeds and are hard to eradicate later. David and I rarely visit the graves of our relatives. I guess our thoughts are only with the living.
ReplyDeleteI loved reading the legend of the kadomatsu. Definitely you should get them...and burn them after January 15th:) After all, Mother knows best.
ReplyDeleteI had to look up columbarium. It looks rather fine in your last photo.
ReplyDeleteYou have some lovely traditions. I like the idea of the kadomatsu.
It's sad but I have no idea where the graves of many of my ancestors are. Both of my parents were cremated and I know exactly where their ashes are buried. We mixed them together and buried them in the backyard of their favorite home. The new owners let us have a ceremony there.
ReplyDeleteMy son is buried in Bamberg, Germany, where his wife wanted him, so I cannot visit. And my other son is in a cemetery in Flint, Michigan. Now I remember them in my heart and light a candle in their memory.
So it is wonderful that your continuity of relatives present and past are so close to you. I am envious.
I love hearing about these traditions, Kay, and that your mom holds them so dear.
ReplyDeleteGigi is right bamboo is so invasive and your can't get rid of it!! I think though there is a slower growing bamboo, that you would have to research though.
ReplyDeleteThat was nice that you visited the graves and the columbarium. Our church has one and it very beautiful!
Happy New Year to you and your family!! 2012 is going to be great!!
I do so enjoy learning about your traditions, too, Kay! Yes, do get the kadomatsu. The big day is almost here! Thanks so much for adding so much beauty and fun to my blogging world over the past several years! May it continue for many years!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
interesting post..Happy New Year!
ReplyDelete>she's adamant that they must be burned a certain amount of days later. I'll have to research this.
ReplyDeleteYes, Japan has many various New Years decorations, charms, etc that must be burned at a temple.
Some, such as Daruma, are bought in January and kept for a year.
Beautiful shots Kay and I would like to know more about those plants, especially the one with the white flower?
ReplyDeletegood time to remember our departed loved ones as the year ends and we begin anew...
ReplyDeleteI tried growing my own bamboo but I had a hard time... I can't grow ANYTHING except weeds ;).
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful new year!!!
DJan: You've lost two sons? I am so very sorry. I didn't know. I think it's great that you keep so active and always work to keep your spirits up.
ReplyDeleteDianne: White flowers? If you mean in the temple, those were probably chrysanthemums.
Everybody: Hmmm... that must be why people tend to grow bamboo mostly in large pots over here. Thank you for the warning although I think I can manage to kill anything I plant.
Oh, get the kadumotsu. I think it's lovely that you carry out these traditions.
ReplyDeleteI also loved reading of these traditions. I agree, don't grow any bamboo. I think you will regret it unless you get a panda. ;)
ReplyDeleteI love how traditional your mother is. She teaches us all.
I enjoyed learning about the kadomatsu tradition. I think it is an excellent time to remember our ancestors at the end of an old year and beginning of a new one.
ReplyDeleteno, you're not suppose to save the kadomatsu for the next year! No.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy your posts about your family traditions. You teach me a lot!!!! Thank you!
ReplyDeletejust got back from the store. and saw some kadomatsu's for a buck fifty-nine, as in, $159.00. Others were $89.00. Wow.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link to explain 'kadomatsu'. I am also wondering what you do with lotus root.
ReplyDeleteYour mother is very traditional. Will you continue any of these traditions when she is gone? And yes, buy the kadomatsu!
Yes, after listening to your mom, I might go back and get it. Yes also, I flat out love your shelves. :)
ReplyDeleteLinda: The lotus root or hasu is cut into slices and stir friend in sort of a teriyaki sauce. It's very tasty and crispy. It's also used in a vegetable stew called nishime.
ReplyDeleteEverybody: OK OK... we went out and bought the kadomatsu. I've already written a post about it for tomorrow.
Linda: Oops! I forgot to answer your other question about whether we plan to keep the traditions after my mother is gone. Gosh... I don't know. We didn't do many of these things when we were in Illinois. Without, mom to remind us... I just don't know.
ReplyDelete