Christmas in Hawaii

It's always nice to go home for the holidays but things were extra special this year since it was the first time I was returning home after being abroad. I was able to acknowledge and appreciate the Japanese influence I have in my family. Things like the traditional kagami mochi, and kadomatsu, were normally overlooked and unacknowledged. But this year, when I looked at them, I realized how much of the Japanese culture my family embraces. Then it got me thinking about all of the other Japanese traditions we follow that not only stem from the Japanese culture but also from Buddhism. I've forgetten about so many traditions and customs as many of them stopped when my grandma passed away. Things like ozoni, sushi, fresh sashimi, Buddhist shrines, omomori, kanten, nishime, etc. are no where to be found these days. I'm thinking I'll start bringing some stuff back into my family's Christmas traditions, all can't be lost while someone in the family is living in the motherland, rrrright?

Man, I love Christmas. It's unfortunate that Japan doesn't have Christmas trees.

Kagami-mochi with kadomatsu standing nicely in the background.