Happy New Year 2023, all you wonderful and crazy Hivers.

So this is 2023. No new disasters yet, so we are already ahead. Let's hope it stays that way, at least for awhile. By Japanese reckoning this is Reiwa 5, which means it is the fifth year of the current emperor's reign. By all accounts he is pretty similar to his father and is a pretty nice guy, by the way. This system of dates is used less and less every year but it still pops up so it's good to know about.

His father is still around, but is starting to look more frail every year. He will be 90 this year, so that's not unexpected. He was also a great guy.

Jan 1st is one of the rare times the public can see the emperor in person. I wasn't crazy enough to make the trip to Tokyo just for that, so I missed out. Most of the city is fairly calm for New Year's actually, as most people go home to their parent's house for the holiday. Some places, are completely and insanely busy. Near the Imperial Palace is one of those places. Meiji Shrine is another. Remind me to talk about my mistake of going there on January 1st one year several years ago. I still have nightmares about that.

Water Rabbit Year

In the asian horoscope this is the year of the water rabbit.

The Japanese horoscope is silly, but it can be fun. Well, I shouldn't say "silly" because some people do treat it very seriously. I don't, yet I do find it kind of interesting. There are 12 animals (in order: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and boar) and there are 5 elements (wood, fire, water, earth, metal). Each of the animals will cycle once for each element, making for a cycle of 60 years to get through everything.

Since 60 marks a return to the beginning of the cycle, 60 years of age is a very special year—it even has a special name: kanreki (還暦). It is considered a rebirth of sorts, a new beginning, the start of your second life. One might imagine the big celebration that takes place for such a special event. 60 is the retirement age in Japan, so that fits with the idea. There is always discussion of raising that retirement age, though, and many companies have already started allowing people to work beyond it. So much for starting your second life fresh!

I don't know offhand if there is another ceremony for people who reach their second complete cycle at 120 years. A few people in Japan do reach that age every now and again. I'm just going to say it right now: I will be one of those people! (C'mon, it's the New Year, we have to start it with a crazy level of positivity and optimism.)

This cycle of 60 is actually really important to help historians date old documents, art, reigns of figures, and so on. So there is some practicality to learning about this system.

What's So Special About an Water Rabbit

Feng Shui is hardly my thing, but if you go for it, a quick Google search tells me that the year of the water rabbit means these are lucky:

Numbers: 3, 6, 8

The number 3 is considered lucky because it sounds like the Chinese word for "birth" or "growth," and the number 6 sounds like the word for "flow" or "smooth." Water Rabbits are also associated with the number 8, which is considered lucky because it sounds like the word for "prosper" or "wealth."

Colors : blue, green, red

Blue is associated with water and is thought to bring peace and tranquility. Green is associated with growth and abundance, and red is a symbol of good luck and happiness. Wearing these colors or incorporating them into your home or workspace is said to attract positive energy and bring good fortune.

Days: the 2nd and the 7th of every month

Undertaking important tasks or making important decisions on these days can bring good luck and success.

Directions: east and southeast

It is thought that facing these directions when undertaking important tasks or making important decisions can bring success and positive outcomes. It is also believed that Water Rabbits should avoid facing the northwest direction, as it is thought to bring misfortune.

You are pig if you were born in: 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011. You are earth pig if you were born 60 years ago (in 1963). Time to celebrate your kanreki!

It tells some of this stuff as well as a lot more on my omikuji, which is a kind of good luck drawing we do during the first shrine visit of the year.

Speaking of which...!

First Shrine Visit

Called Hatsumode (初詣), the first shrine visit of the year takes place sometime within the first three days of the year. Pretty much every one in the country will visit their local shrine, pray for happiness and luck in the new year, and maybe even buy some good luck charms. This is not as religious as you might thing. Most here have little belief in or use for any gods. It is more of a traditional thing that everyone does because everyone else does and because they have always done it. That's pretty much the way for many traditions, isn't it? We do it because we do it, nothing more. It's just good harmless fun, at any rate.

I went to hatsumode on the first with my family. It was packed, as expected, but there is something about being in that festive crowd that makes it not so bad. Or that could have been the saké that was handed out freely. My wife doesn't drink so she gave me hers. I was very happy during that morning wait!

In addition to first shrine visit, there are a bunch of "firsts" that everyone makes note of. First meal of the new year, first dream, first sunrise, and so on. I was out early on New Year's Day, but not so early as to see the sunrise. Oh well.

Anyway, this has turned into more of a "What to Expect For New Year's in Japan" than the rambling opinion column that I usually make these Typewriter Chronicles posts. Oh well, that's just how it goes sometimes.

Catch you later, Hive! Hope all of you are having a good 2023 so far.

David LaSpina is an American photographer and translator lost in Japan, trying to capture the beauty of this country one photo at a time and searching for the perfect haiku.

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