This is an official explanation about the swine influenza aka H1N1 Influenza from Tokyo City government
Q What are the human symptoms of Influenza A(H1N1)?
A Symptoms such as fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, and coughing are seen. There are also patients who complain of symptoms including a runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Q How does Influenza A(H1N1) spread?
A The virus is transmitted from person to person, through contact with saliva droplets (coughing or sneezing) or with contaminated surfaces and materials, including hands, toys, plates, glasses, computer keyboards, telephones, door handles, bathroom faucets and other daily living utensils.
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The New Year is the most special event of the year for Japanese. During the New Year’s Days, most of Japanese people believe that God of the Year (Toshigami-sama) is descending on each home. People wished to welcome the god with pure mind and to receive power.
The main of ceremonies in a New Year are :
Hatsumode : New Year’s first visit to a shrine to pray.
Kakizome : The first calligraphy of New Year. People write auspicious words or poems with a brush, wishing the improvement in their writing skill.
Hatsuyume : The first dream on New Year’s Day. People tell their fortunate omen for the year, judging from what they dream.
Nanakusa : on the 7th day, people remove all the new years ornaments and decorative pine branches which have been put up at the gate.
Kagamimochi/osonaemochi : Mochi (rice cake) which is offered to teh god of the year.
Ko-shougatsu : on the 15th day. New year according to lunar calendar. Pople put up events such as dondo-yaki and sagicho, which are the fire festivies to burn New Year’s ornaments.
Source : Japan, How We Breathe & How our Hearts Beat; New Millenium Network Corporation.
Enjoy some pictures describe how Japanese people celebrate the new year (お正月 /o-shougatsu/).
Part 3/3 : nengajou (年賀状), new-year’s postcard greetings, year’s zodiac,the osonaemochi (お供え餅), and the city.
 2010 zodiac |
 for sale : the year of lion |
 osonaemochi |
 Postcards of NewYear's Greeting |
 Traditional culture in a high-tech city |
 modern corner |
Enjoy some pictures describe how Japanese people celebrate the new year (お正月 /o-shougatsu/).
Part 2/3 : New Year’s first praying at a shrine : hatsumoude (初詣で).
visiting shrine in the beginning of a new year
lampion decorations
Narande imasu (queuing)
hatsumode : praying at shrines on 1-3 January
A shinto believer
letter of requests to the God
Enjoy some pictures describe how Japanese people celebrate the new year (お正月 /o-shougatsu/).
Part 1/3 : New Year’s Decoration (お正月飾り) : shime-kazari & others.
Dried rice grass
making (1)
making (2)
shime-kazari
pine (松 /matsu/) for sale
newyear's decorations for sale at a shrine
A short video of Tama-Center Illumination by closertojapan.
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