nengajo

Previously I wrote about Nengajo (New Year cards) and Mochu Hagaki here.

Usually nengajo uses the phrase "akemashite omedetoo" (ah-kay-mah-she-tay o-may-day-toe) which means "happy new year".

Well, this year, due to the big earthquake and tragedy in the Tohoku area, everyone is kind of on egg shells as to how to approach this card trading custom.

With reason the people in the Tohoku area aren't in any mood to "celebrate" the New Year and the rest of Japan, doesn't quite know what kind of greetings to send.

Recently on television, they showed the people of the Tohoku area sending out "I'm doing fine" cards. It was also shown that the rest of Japan should refrain from using "akemashite omedetoo" and instead use words like, "kansha" (kahn-shah which means appreciation) and "arigatoo" (ah-ree-gah-toe which means thanks).

So that is what we did. I really hope next year will be a better one for everyone, especially those in the Tohoku area.

p.s. On yesterday's post I mentioned Instagram, if you are already on Instagram and want to see your feed and friend's photos from your computer, just go to Inkstagram and log in through your Instagram account.

p.p.s. I'll be off the grid for a couple of days (though I may post to Instagram), I have some posts lined up until we return and I will moderate comments later.