Start of Springtime

Believe it or not, it's the first day of spring... at least on the Japanese calender.
Snow of over 3 meters still haunt the quake-hit Niigata. We're still wearing long coats over our gear. BUT In the oriental calenders they declare today as the beginning of spring. Strange... but that's tradition... By the way in the eve of this day (in other words yesterday night) we celebrate in a unique way. We throw beans outside saying "Out with the devil! In with good fortune!". In kindergardens teachers dressed up as Japanese devils "Oni" and kids just throw beans at the devils. It is said the ceremony came from ancient China and it is recorded in history it has been done since Emperor Jinmu did so in 706. Another unique cermony done yesterday is eating a long roll of sushi turning yourself to the direction of blessing. (This year it was west southwest) This seems to be a trick planned by the Seaweed Union of Osaka as the ceremony was taken into account by the media. The food making industry followed up the trick by making lots of sushi rolls on that day trying to make the ceremony not just for the Kansai people, but for a nationwide ritual. I think they were smart enough as every 7-Eleven's had packs of this blessing sushi rolls filled on their counters. The chocolate makers had done a same type of trick day ago, for Valentine's Day, as they made a common and even reasonable ritual to let girls give chocolates to their lover on that day. Girls still on a one way traffic gets a chance to confess their passion with a chocolate.
Will I get one this year? Mmm... Only God knows....