Notes:
rice cakes お餅;
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Happy New Year!
By the way, did you receive or give any “otoshidama”? In Japan, we have a custom where adults give children money called “otoshidama” on New Year’s day. Unlike today, in the past we believed that everyone got a year older on New Year’s Day as opposed to on one’s own birthday. This was called “kazoe-doshi”. We offered rice cakes to God for our good health for the coming year. Originally “otoshidama” meant sharing rice cakes together rather than giving money. I rather think that it is a good idea because I like rice cakes. But you have to be careful not to eat too many rice cakes because they are a very high-calorie food!
(written by student Miss Ikeda, edited by Prof. Simon Smith)
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