We traveled north to spend New Years with Yuri's family in Tome, which is just a bit north of Sendai
Sanpei-san demonstrates the traditional technique of rolling the "straw" left over from the rice harvest into something like a rope which is then used to weave intricate new years ornaments that are hung around the house and temples to please the gods
Snow bunnies made by the neighbors which are being shrunk by the sun
The traditional wall surrounding the family house
This house has been in the family for generations. The oldest room is almost 400 years old, and as is the tradition the house has grown around the family.
In traditional Japanese style the house is designed around sliding doors both on the exterior and interior allowing rooms to open up into each other as well as allowing the house to be opened to the surrounding gardens. This provides great flexibility to create small intimate spaces or open the house up for large gatherings. It also helps keep smaller rooms warm in the winter, but allows the house to be open in the spring. fall, and summer to maintain a nice interior climate without the use of air conditioning
The formal family room of their house. This is where we spent most of our time sitting around the large table in the middle of the room eating, drinking, and talking. Sanpei-san had this part of the house rebuilt some years ago, but made sure to have everything retain the traditional character and materials of the region
Sanpei-san took us to the most popular temple the day before the new years rush so that we could enjoy seeing it without having to navigate the hundreds of people who would pack into it on New Years Day.
This is the traditional ornament that Sanpei-san makes to hang on the gateway into their home. The shape references a shrimp, and has been passed down for generations
Pretty cool entrance to a house if you ask me
The dinner spread - a huge plate of sashimi (fresh from the ocean), and tara-nabe (cod hot pot). We went to the fish market to get the cod that morning and it was delicious!
Sanpei-san, his father, and his wife (who is an incredible cook and explains where Yuri learned all of her tricks)
Konpai!!!
Everyone is entranced by the New Years Eve music show. Every year NHK (one of the big networks) has a special that features all of the big names in Japanese music (including some international acts like Lady Gaga), and they compete, men against women, to see who puts on the best show. Something fun to do while you count down to the new year
Yuri's sister, Mitsuko makes sure everyone is stuffed by making tako-yaki, which are grilled octopus dumplings. Kind of like a ball shaped pancake (or less dense hush puppy) with octopus in it. Soooooooo good covered with mayonnaise and sauce (Japanese fruit sauce - used on so many things it simply is referred to "sauce" and anything else is specified by its specific name)
New Years breakfast and osetchi - special traditional dishes prepared for the New Year which are intended to last for 2-3 days. Thus it takes a lot of time to prepare everything, but once it is made the family can relax and enjoy the first few days of the new year together, eating and drinking.
Mitsuko's pet turtle
Walking to the local temple after New Years breakfast
The entrance to the temple. The intricate ornament hanging from the gateway was made by Sanpei-san.
Another one hangs from the door to the temple
The stone to the left of the little shrine was carved by an ancestor of the Sanpei's hundreds of year ago. It is an amazing experience to be part of a family that has such a long history tied to one specific place
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