Best Wishes for the New Year from Kateigaho International Edition

Here in Japan, people are also getting ready for the new year. Houses and shops are cleaned, debts and other obligations are taken care of, all in an attempt to greet the coming year with a clean slate. Traditional decorations called shimekazari -- made of rice straw rope decorated with a bitter orange called daidai -- are hung in doorways to symbolize good fortune, prosperity and longevity. It's also a big travel season, as families come together for Oshogatsu, the new year celebration which lasts for three days.

On the evening of the 31st, starting around midnight, temple bells around the country are struck 108 times, symbolizing the 108 sins of man according to Buddhist belief. People eat toshikoshi soba (end-of-year buckwheat noodles) and prepare for the first shrine or temple visit of the new year, either later that evening or the next day. The following three days are spent visiting with friends and family and eating special food called osechi-ryori, which is comprised of multiple small dishes, each with a specific meaning for the coming year -- for example, lobster, with its crooked back, symbolizes long life; lotus root brings hope for happiness in the future; black soybeans promise health and strength. Thus fortified, the people of Japan feel ready to start a new year.

Our 2004 WINTER issue is now on sale, with a special main feature that explores the intangible mystery of Zen, plus articles on new trends in traditional Japanese lacquerware and Asian-styled precious gems that fit with the winter season. We also present our list of 41 of the top restaurants in Tokyo. Check out the online preview for more on our latest issue:

http://www.kateigaho.com/jan04

We've also just updated our website with some of the anime articles from the Autumn issue. We've added features on Koji Yamamura and Tabaimo, including images of their artwork. The introduction starts here:

http://www.kateigaho.com/oct03/anime.html

Subscribe to Kateigaho International Edition online -- or purchase individual copies of past issues.

One-year Subscriptions

• FREE delivery to addresses within Japan
• For orders to be sent outside of Japan, a FREE Japanese stationery gift set, designed by Suzando Hashimoto, will be sent with the first issue. Suzando Hashimoto specializes in traditional Japanese stationery, and has an elegant main store located in Kyoto.

• Single-issue orders are also available for all of our previous issues.

A Special Gift from the Debut Issue of Kateigaho International Edition
Anyone who purchased the Autumn 2003 Debut Issue is eligible to enter our drawing to win an original washi stationery set from the exclusive Suzan-do shop in Kyoto. We will select 10,000 lucky winners.

Here's how to enter: http://www.kateigaho.com/reader-gift.html

Web Site of Interest

Old Tokyo
http://www.oldtokyo.com

In approximately 1912, Hibiya Park housed large aviaries. Maruzen bookstore first opened in 1870. At the time of the Great Kanto earthquake in 1923, Tokyo was the world's largest city, with a population of over 3.5 million. Steve Sundberg's site is full of historical bits of information, mostly contained in the captions for dozens of vintage postcards displayed on the site. Most of the cards are from the early- to mid-1900s and they offer a fascinating glimpse into how Tokyo was -- from cherry blossom viewing in Ueno Park in 1905, to the evolution of the Ginza district into an exclusive shopping destination, to the world inside the "licensed quarter" of Yoshiwara.

Sundberg launched the site in May 2003 as a combined showcase for his vintage Japanese postcard collection, his interest in modern Japanese history, and his web site development skills. A former Tokyo resident (from 1970-1977), he found that the vintage postcards he was collecting were teaching him new things about a city he thought he knew. His collection now numbers in the hundreds and he plans to gradually add them to new sections of the site.

http://www.oldtokyo.com

Tokyo Arts - Calendar of Events Pick

Happiness -- A Survival Guide for Art and Life
through January 18th at the Mori Art Museum

The opening exhibition of the Mori Art Gallery explores the eternal -- yet elusive -- theme of happiness, as expressed in art throughout the ages. Featuring 250 works from approximately 180 artists (including such auspicious names as Monet, Matisse, Picasso, Warhol and Koons), it promises to be a display worthy of great beginnings.

Location: Mori Art Museum
Address: 52-53F, Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, 6-10-1, Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
How to get there: Mori Tower is connected from the Roppongi Hills exit of Roppongi Station on Subway Eidan Hibiya Line. 4 minutes walk from Roppongi and Azabu Juban Station on the Subway Oedo Line.
Tel: 03-5777-8600
Web site: http://www.mori.art.museum
Duration: 18 Oct 2003 - 18 Jan 2004
Hours: Sun, Mon, Wed and Thu / 10:00 - 22:00
  Fri, Sat and the day before holidays / 10:00 - 24:00
  Tue / 10:00 - 17:00
  (Admission until 30 minutes before closing)
Admission Fee: Adults - 1,500 yen
University and High school students - 1,000 yen
Junior high school students and under - 500 yen

Please direct all inquiries to: support@sekaibunka.co.jp

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