JAPAN AND IT’S CULTURE

FINAL ASSIGNMENT

EP20BTECH11012

Diary of Yamato Takahashi

31st December 2020

Dear Diary,
Kon’nichiwa! Today has been an auspicious end to this
year. Not only was the last week completely amazing on the
occasion of Shōgatsu, but it also made me reflect about how
amazing this year has been at Hokkaido School. Last
weekend, me, my friend Yusuke, Makoto, Sakura, and Hinata
san travelled to Daishō -in temple, to take blessings
of Kangiten , Bishamonten and Benzaiten kamisama for a
successful academic year ahead.

Sakura and Yasuke san had to get a haircut done before

school, because an inspection was going to be held today, so
we parted ways. I grabbed a quick snack from the vending
machine and ramen, before heading onto the densha to
college.Today we learnt a lot about Japanese History, in
Mami-Sensei’s lecture. We learnt about the Japanese history,
dating way back from Emperor Jimmu,(descendant of the
sun goddess Amaterasu) to the edo period (with their
fearless Samurais) to the Meiji period. Mami-sensei’s classes
are always fun and interesting to attend.Since she is my
favourite sato sensei, I made her a greeting card saying
“Akemashite omedetō gozaimasu.Yoi otoshi wo!”. She was so
delighted with the present.

After the class ended, Yusuke, Soma san and I headed

over to a local kaiten-zushi, because we were very
 hungry.Kaiten-zushi have tasty food, which is also light on
pocket. We greeted each other Itadakimasu and dug in !
On the way back to college, we ran some errands and
bought new Mangas to read! The owner was a kind lady from
India.She greeted us : ”Watashi no namae wa Kaya
desu.Indo kara kimashita.Hajime mashite.” We greeted her
back. She was a very friendly. She had a very fluffy
cat.Watashi wa neko ga suki desu. So I played with it for
awhile.I thanked her “arigatou gozaimasu” before heading to
a sento for a relaxing bath and sauna.

I spent the evening at my cousin, Misato san’s home, with

my family. For this special occasion, I dressed up in my
prettiest kimono and a beautiful kanzashi. I reached at their
home and greeted them “Ogenki desuka?” After greetings
were done, Misato and I played Hanetsuki ,Mahjong and
karuta.It was fun. The dinner was exquisitely appetising. We
heartily ate Sushi, Udon, osechi ryori, otoso and ozoni.I have
a sweet tooth. Watashi wa Dorayaki to Anmitsu ga daisuki
desu.after meal, we greeted each other Gochiso-sama, and
enjoyed the after taste, while soft kigaku music played in the
background. Then I bid sayonara to Misato’s family, seeked
their blessings and went to see the majestic New Year’s
Fireworks show. It was mind boggling, and an amazing
experience!

As I reflect back on this year, I realise how amazing it has

been. I made indelible memories, enjoying the cherry
blossom viewing party with my loved ones, celebrating Tango
no sekku, experiencing the wonderful and bustling Tokyo
Skyline, having a wonderful Christmas Eve, and so many more !

Tomorrow, we will be waking up early to view

hatsuhinode, the first sunrise of the year and then visit the
divine Hokkaidō Jingū shinto shrine to pray for the coming
 year to be filled with prosperity and good health.This year, I
resolve to be more punctual, because punctuality is what the
land of rising is known for. I am definitely grateful to god for
such a wonderful and successful year and pray : Dōmo
arigato gozaimashita sama. Kotoshi mo yoroshiku onegai
shimasu.

I will write about my day again tomorrow…until then Jā ne dear

diary ! Oyasuminasai !

EP20BTECH11012
NIHARIKA KUTE