New Year's Eve

On New Year's Eve, families gather around and eat toshi-koshi ("year-crossing") buckwheat noodles in the hope that one's life will be stretched out as long as these noodles. As midnight approaches, Buddhist temples around the country begin ringing out the old year, sounding the temple bell 108 times that is struck for the 108 earthly desires believed to cause human suffering. © Motoko Shimizu

Masha

 19-year-old beauty.

More Greetings

Season's Greetings

Party Season!

Autumn Appetite

There are lots of delicious foods in Japan in autumn: fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, fish and

new harvest rice. People often say "autumn appetite." Bon Appétit！©Motoko Shimizu

Tsukimi(Moon Viewing)

The full moon around the middle of the eighth month of the lunar calendar was called the mid-autumn moon(9/19 this year), and it became a custom to arrange Tsukimi (Moon Viewing) parties to appreciate its beauty. Houses are decorated with pampas grass and dumplings are made and offered to the moon together with samples of crops from the autumn harvest.
© Motoko Shimizu

*For Coloring Fun!

Ree, Lobster, and School of Fish

*Click to enlarge

Japanese Summer Festival

© Coloring by Yasuko Hirukawa & Drawing by Motoko Shimizu.

Japanese Summer festiva! People gather in their local communities and enjoy Bon dancing to rhythmic music, stroll around in a light summer kimono (yukata) , eat different foods offered at stalls, and cheer at fireworks. 

Suika-wari (watermelon-cracking) in Color!

Suika-wari (watermelon-cracking)

* For coloring fun!

Japan has many wonderful beaches since it is surrounded by the sea. Suika-wari (watermelon-cracking) is one of the most popular of beach games: a person with a stick is blindfolded, spun around a few times, then guided by the audiences' directions towards the watermelon. Everyone gets one swing, and whoever cracks it open, wins. Of course, participants eat the watermelon after the game!! © Motoko Shimizu

Rainy Season in Color!

Rainy Season!

 For Coloring Fun!

From around early June to mid-July, most of Japan is subject to a period of rainy weather called tsuyu. Day in and day out, the sky remains gloomy, and temperatures and humidity rise. But the early summer rain helps plants grow and flourish, and it's a valuable source of drinking water. © Motoko Shimizu

More Coloring Fun!!

 By Yasuko Hirukawa

 By Ma-kun, 3-year-old

 By Yamato, 7-year-old

By Ree

Children's Day!

For Coloring fun!

May 5th is Children's Day in Japan, when families celebrate the healthy growth and happiness of children. Families with boys fly huge carp-shaped streamers (koinobori) outside the house and display dolls of famous warriors and other heroes inside.

Horses

* Click to enlarge

Happy Easter!

Dragon among Waves

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Happy Chinese New Year!

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Two Catfish

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Sketches@Rooms of Wonder Exhibition, Grolier Club

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Tree Climbing Goats of Morocco in Acrylic

 

*Click to enlarge