Dark Moon Magazine January by Dark Moon

Index Community .............. 3

Editorial

ello everybody out there. Thanks for taking the time to read this editorial. It’s a pleasure for me and for the staff here in Dark Moon Enterprises to present to you our first project of this 2015; the new image of DMM.

e’ve been working on this project since February 2013, though at that moment we were focused only in

4 ....................... Reviews

local activities, as of this 2015 we’re trying to reach a little more, have more contact with our followers and of course, bring you the best info about all the things we like. - Dewey

Credits Interviews ............. 19

28 ...................... Culture

Community

‘S

up! We’re DME, a group of friends that goes to fests in Costa Rica. Initially we just went for the fun of it, but as we kept going we felt the need to start sharing our experiences, our points of view, what we felt that made a fest succeed and what we felt that could have been better.

ost likely because our second anniversary is coming up quite soon, we have some nostalgia about the old days (though it wasn’t that long ago) but that’s what makes it worthwhile, the acquaintances, the meetings, the frustrations, the joys and of course the friends that we made along the road.

e started this project on February 2013. At that moment we were just trying to get, in all honesty, free passes to the Cons (‘cause, which teenager who likes anime doesn’t want a free pass to a Con). But as time came by, we started to take things a little more seriously, some of us got pro equipment and took courses to get better pictures, others started to write scripts for the interviews and investigate beforehand the international guests that would attend, and so on.

ut we felt there was still something we lacked, other than the time, due to all our school responsibilities. Back then, we were unable to pin-point it, but it was quite a simple thing: passion. We loved what we were doing, but it was still a hobby, nothing more than something to be proud off and to show between our friends.

s this 2015 starts, our goals have gone up quite a notch and precisely because of that we changed a little the focus of the magazine, and the “company” itself. Hopefully, we’ll be opening our on-line store in the next couple of months, as well as our on-line radio station, so be on the lookout for those as well.

lease forgive us for this long introduction and worry not, in the next issues this segment will be dedicated only to you guys and gals, for your questions, pictures, experiences or whatever you feel like sharing with us. To do so, just send as an e-mail to darukumuntsu@live.com

Also visit us at www.facebook.com/darkmoonenterprises Enjoy January’s issue

Reviews

n an attempt to be as unbiased as possible, we decided to make different categories depending on the subject to be reviewed, so we came up with the following lists for anime and video games. Since ordering is little tough, since the choices we made are equally great, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll just present you the lists in a random order.

Video games -Best Games from 2014 -Top Upcoming Games

Animes -Best Animes from 2014 -Top TBA Animes (to be announced) -Top Animes Currently Airing

Video games Best from 2014

ESRB: Everyone +10 Publisher: Ubisoft Developer: Ubisoft Montreal

Child of Light has a carefree aura, an organic feel to it. It’s, most definitely, not a game focused on the marketing ease or to appease the needs of the broadest possible audience. With all certainty I can say that this game is a piece that was enjoyed by the designing team over in Ubisoft Montreal. The colors used, the gameplay, the scenarios, it takes you back to some old indie games, where what mattered was not the “main quest”, to say it somehow, but the journey itself.

For all the lovers of World of Warcraft, that had quited due to the $15 monthly cost, a holy option appeared last year, when Hearthstone: Heroes of WarCraft was released. Though the mechanics are totally different, the competitiveness and tension couldn’t be more accordingly to a game created by Blizzard. Hearthstone’s an amazing collectible card game today, though, paradoxically, the way the store works and the lack of a trading options makes it easy to feel disappointed when you do spend money. ESRB: Teen Publisher: Blizzard Entertainment Developer: Blizzard Entertainment

ESRB: Mature Publisher: Electronic Arts Developer: BioWare

If you just started playing or have only seen a couple gameplays from Dragon Age: Inquisition, must probably you think that after you kill your first dragon, there’s nothing more the game can offer, no matter how open-world the game tries to be; definitely that would be the most grave mistake you could make while judging this game. One thing that I can assure you is that after your first dragon kill, you won’t stop until every dragon’s skull is mounted on your wall.

Video games

ESRB: Mature Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive Developer: Monolith Productions Even though I tried not to have games that are too similar in the same list, Shadow of Mordor had to be here. Agreed, it’s an open-world action game pretty similar to DAI but the one huge difference is what makes it shine in this list. It integrates its excellent combat with rewarding feedback and progression not just for the player, but also for the enemies. You are able to follow up-close how a private ranks up throughout the game and could even turn to your archenemy.

ESRB: Everyone +10 Publisher: Nintendo Developer: Bandai Namco Games

If you were one of those blessed βασταρδς that had the chance to get their hands on a N64 or like the rest of us economically-broken mortals, had the emulator for it, this next game for sure will bring out that child. Remember those battle royals of 4 players in a miniscule space trying to kill each other, well now image that same thing but with 8 players and the possibility to do it online. Worst of all, Nintendo didn’t stop at that with this madness, they had to bring it to a smaller screen. Evidently, we’re talking about Super Smash Bros. 3DS and WiiU.

Feel that we missed a great game that should have en in this list? Send us your recommendations to our facebook.

Video games Top Upcoming

Peace is shattered when colony worlds are unexpectedly attacked. But when humanity's greatest hero goes missing, a new Spartan is tasked with hunting the Master Chief and solving a mystery that threatens the entire galaxy. https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-gb/games/ halo-5-guardians/xbox-one

Release date: Q3 2015

In the explosive finale to the Arkham series, Batman faces the ultimate threat against the city he is sworn to protect. The Scarecrow returns to unite an impressive roster of super villains, including Penguin, TwoFace and Harley Quinn, to destroy The Dark Knight forever. https://www.batmanarkhamknight.com/

Release date: June 2, 2015

Four Hunters face off against a single, player-controlled Monster in adrenaline-pumping 4v1 matches. Play as the Monster to use savage abilities and an animalistic sense to kill your human enemies, or choose one of four Hunter classes (Assault, Trapper, Medic and Support) and team up to take down the beast on the planet Shear, where flora and fauna act as an adversary to man and monster alike. http://evolvegame.com/

Release Date: February 10, 2015

During the day, players will traverse an expansive urban environment overrun by a vicious outbreak, scavenging the world for supplies and crafting weapons to defend against the growing infected population. At night, the hunter becomes the hunted, as the infected become aggressive and more dangerous. Most frightening are the predators which only appear after sundown. http://dyinglightgame.com/

Release Date: January 27, 2015

Animes Best from 2014

Remember reading or watching fantasy stories were the main character is sent to a fictional world and while desperately trying to find a way to go back home, becomes the savior of his new home world. Well in No Game No Life the plot is more or less the same, with a little twist to it. This anime follows a brother and sister “trapped” away to a world where all conflict is resolved through games—and as hardcore, shutin gamers, the pair enjoy this new world immensely and have no desire to return to ours. Moreover, they're not really out to save the world as much as conquer it—thus proving they are the best gamers in both worlds. More than that, it is a hilarious comedy full of both sight gags and wordplay. And to top it all off, its bright color palette makes it a joy to behold from start to finish.

Remember the cyberpunk cop drama Psycho Pass? A new story developed when the omnipresent system that constantly scans the mental state of the populous becomes unable to scan a murderer and the only possibility to catch him falls into the hands of a detective willing to think outside the system. Psycho Pass 2 presents a compelling futuristic mystery with a villain who is attempting to strike at the heart of the system itself. Each murderous situation he sets up—while often ending in a bloodbath—reveals something more about how the system works and the rules it has to follow. On the other end of the story, we have the police whose absolute adherence to the will of the system is often what allows the villain to continue on untouched.

Animes

Since Sword Art Online came out, we have been tempted on the infinite possibilities of VR technology. On that first season we got a glimpse of the psychological scars that the plot had on the characters, how they had to deal with the tension of taking a life or the need to protect oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life. On this second season, the maturity and the motivation of the characters is one of the strongest points of this new plot, set in a cyberpunk murder mystery scenario in which Kirito gets haunted by the ghosts of his past. Also the narrative in this second season makes a great difference, guiding the audience through 3 different stories throughout the season without making almost any differentiation even though the settings, the emotional focus and the main characters varies between them.

The story takes place many years in the future where the game "Rhyme," a virtual fighting game, is incredibly popular and people possess "AllMates," convenient AI computers. Aoba leads an ordinary life, working at a junk shop and living with his grandmother on the island of Midorijima. Unlike his friends, he doesn't participate in Rhyme, nor does he belong in a gang. However, when rumors of people disappearing spread, Aoba finds himself needing to unravel the mysteries behind the island in order to protect his everyday life.

And as well, if all this mushy stuff is not what youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re here for, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also the greatly choreographed action scenes found in the series.

Animes TBA's Gate: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri

Overlord

The military fantasy series begins when a gate appears in Tokyo's Ginza district sometime in the 21st century. From the gate pours out monsters, knights from middle-age Europe, and other fantasylike beings, and they kill many of the citizens of Tokyo. This event is known as the Ginza Incident.

The story begins with Yggdrasil, a popular online game which is quietly shut down one day. However, the protagonist Momonga decides to not log out. Momonga is then transformed into the image of a skeleton as "the most powerful wizard." The world continues to change, with non-player characters (NPCs) beginning to feel emotion. Having no parents, friends, or place in society, this ordinary young man Momonga then strives to take over the new world the game has become.

The government sends a small group of soldiers from the Japanese Self-Defense Forces (a replacement for Japan's military) to the alternate world beyond the gate. Led by otaku soldier Youji, they find that the villages in the world are being attacked by a dragon. An elf girl who is a survivor from the dragon's rampage joins the group in their travels across the dangerous new world. (Source: ANN)

(Source: ANN)

Animes

Sengoku Gyoujin Dullahan: Kagen no Keishousha This story re-imagines Japan's violent Sengoku Era instead of traditional samurai armor, legendary figures like Date Masamune fight wearing Gishin powered suits. Masamune's armor is called Oryu; however, the robot is too strong for the young Masamune to control, which leads to the death of many people. Fearing the power of Oryu, the other daimyo form an alliance against Masamune in order to destroy it.

Digimon Adventure tri. The Digimon Adventure 15th Anniversary Event announced that the characters of the first Digimon Adventure anime are returning next spring. The video shown at the end of the event described the main character Taichi as being 17 years old in high school with his Digimon partner Agumon. The sequel series will tell a "new story" "for all the 'DigiDestined' in the world." "Now, [once] again, the adventure evolves." (Source: ANN)

(Source: ANN)

(Sorry we didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t put up the original artwork, but we really donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t like it)

Animes Airing

Monday

Tuesday

Sengoku Musou

Akatsuki no Yona

Start: Jan 12, 2015 Season: Winter 2015 Genres: Action, Historical, Samurai

Start: Oct 7, 2014 Season: Fall 2014 Genres: Action, Romance, Fantasy

Toyotomi Hideyoshi is on the verge of unifying the realm, and all that remains is the Odawara Castle protected by the "Lion of Sagami" Ujiyasu Houjou. Hideyoshi's personally trained generals — Ishida Mitsunari, Katou Kiyomasa, and Fukushima Masanori — as well as Ōtani Yoshitsugu, Shima Sakon, and Naoe Kanetsugu are all on the frontline of the battle. Amidst the battle formation are the two young warriors of the Sanada household: older brother Nobuyuki and younger brother Yukimura. As the stalemate begins to break down, Sanada Yukimura rides on a lone horse into the fray. His brother follows him right after.

Since Yona is the only princess of a grand kingdom, she has been raised with great care by her doting father and protected by her childhood friend/guard Hak and others. However, her fate changes on her 16th birthday, when her beloved cousin Soowon murders her father to claim the throne. She flees the castle to Hak's hometown and begins her new life.

(Source: ANN)

Animes

Wednesday

Thursday

Binan Koukou Chikyuu Bouei-bu Love!

Kiseijuu: Sei no Kakuritsu

Start: Jan 7, 2015 Season: Winter 2015 Genres: Watch under your own risk The story centers on the five students in the Boeibu/Defense Club (aka "a club to do nothing") at the Binan High School. Involving the battle between the two mysterious creatures came from the outer space, they have to fight against Seifukubu/Conquest Club (Student Council), as the successors to the throne "Battle Lovers."

Start: Oct 9, 2014 Season: Fall 2014 Genres: Action, Drama, Horror, Sci-Fi, Psychological, Seinen They arrive in silence and darkness. They descend from the skies. They have a hunger for human flesh. They are everywhere. They are parasites, alien creatures who must invade–and take control of–a human host to survive. And once they have infected their victims, they can assume any deadly form they choose: monsters with giant teeth, winged demons, creatures with blades for hands. But most have chosen to conceal their lethal purpose behind ordinary human faces. So no one knows their secret–except an ordinary high school student. Shin is battling for control of his own body against an alien parasite, but can he find a way to warn humanity of the horrors to come? (Source: Del Rey)

Animes

Friday

Saturday

Tokyo Ghoul √A

Log Horizon 2

Start: Jan 9, 2015 Season: Winter 2015 Genres: Mystery, Horror, Supernatural, Psychological, Seinen

Start: Oct 4, 2014 Season: Fall 2014 Genres: Action, Adventure, Magic, Game, Fantasy, Shounen

The second season of Tokyo Ghoul, a suspense horror/dark fantasy story is set in Tokyo, which is haunted by mysterious “ghouls” who are devouring humans. People are gripped by the fear of these ghouls whose identities are masked in mystery. An ordinary college student named Kaneki encounters Rize, a girl who is an avid reader like him, at the café he frequents. Little does he realize that his fate will change overnight.

Veteran gamer Shiroe and other players have been trapped in the world of the online game Elder Tales for six months. The once chaotic city of Akiba has regained its everyday hustle and bustle following the formation of the self-governing organization Round Table Meeting. The earthlings, who are originally from the game world, have gained the trust of Shiroe by waging a defensive war against the Goblins in Zantleaf Region. This has led Princess Rayneshia of the Cowen family, the highest-ranking Earthling Aristocrats, to live in Akiba.

(Source: ANN)

(Sorry guys we couldn’t find the new logo)

It's almost winter, and the Adventurers are thinking about what they're going to do and what their goals are in this other world. Will they remain in Akiba or go to the city of the West? Or will they travel to the land of the North or another faraway country? The opinions of the Adventurers begin to diverge. What adventures await the members of the Shiroe team in this second series of Log Horizon? (Source: ANN)

Animes

Saturday

Sunday

Durarara!!x2 Shou and Ten

Nanatsu no Taizai

Start: Jan 10, 2015 Season: Winter 2015 Genres: Action, Mystery, Shounen, Supernatural A second season of Durarara!! is in the works. The story takes place a half year after the first series at Tokyo’s Ikebukuro neighborhood. The first part, “Shou,” or “Understanding,” will air in January and the second part, “Ten,” or “Motion,” will air in July 2015. (Source: ANN)

Start: Oct 5, 2014 Season: Fall 2014 Genres: Supernatural, Shounen, Fantasy, Adventure, Action When they were accused of trying to overthrow the monarchy, the feared warriors the Seven Deadly Sins were sent into exile. Princess Elizabeth discovers the truth - the Sins were framed by the king's guard, the Holy Knights - too late to prevent them from assassinating her father and seizing the throne! Now the princess is on the run, seeking the Sins to help her reclaim the kingdom. But the first Sin she meets, Meliodas, is a little innkeeper with a talking pig. He doesn't even have a real sword! Have the legends of the Sins' strength been exaggerated? (Source: ANN)

Interviews A

s we mentioned in the editorial, this project started out as a hobby to share experiences, laughters, joys and maybe some frustrations during the process. So to remain true to that original idea, this section will be the window to see those cosplayer, that some of us no longer see as human and turn them mortal. Here you’ll be able to read about they’re experiences, they’re plans, how they overcome difficulties and most important, how they like to enjoy this hobby that unites us all. Also, we’ll be interviewing national, Costa Rican, and international cosplayers, artists, concept sculptors, designers and everyone and anyone that wishes to share with us what means to them to enjoy their hobbies, jobs and daily lives. Without further due, I leave you to enjoy the interviews of our first three brave international cosplayers: -Honey -Serah

Mary Kirby

-Dustbunny

By Dewey

PS.: I’ll also leave a small gallery right here of the last Con we went to, Kuri 2014 Costa Rica.

Honey Mary

ÂŠ Il Fantasma del Castello

Honey Mary Age: 20 For how long have you done cosplay?

I started to cosplay about five years ago! I was fifteen and when I discovered this kind of performance art I immediately thought it was something funny... And I wanted to try it! :3:3 What was your first cosplay? My first cosplay was Misa Amane from Death Note (just as for many other girls)! I think I have no photos with that cosplay! But this is positive ‘cause I remember that this cosplay was really disappointing and terrible! I was not even wearing a wig for her!! But maybe I could wear her cosplay again! Also because I like her as a character! And this time I would try my best to make her :) Which was your easiest cosplay? Which your hardest one?

Perhaps my easiest cosplay was my bikini version of Ryuko Matoi from Kill la Kill! Just because I had to work on a few details! Anyway... I can say that working on a cosplay is always difficult even if it seems easier in the tailoring! But this is definitely the dress that cost me less :) The hardest one was Ryuko Matoi in Kamui Senketsu for sure! Just because I spent a lot of money for the fabrics and the materials for the “armor’s” parts! (Though this was the very first time I did something like this!)... So I know it is full of errors and imprecisions and in the future I hope to get done better! Maybe also this year I could wear this cosplay again, trying to make better some details :)

Which have been your best and worst experiences while doing cosplay? For sure the best thing that cosplay has given me is all the people I met through this kind of hobby! You know, if you participate in a convention it is very easy to stop and talk to other people... Maybe because you’re attracted by the beautiful cosplays they’re wearing or just to talk a bit! And so that’s what I really like<3! You feel at ease... And you’re happy, and this is beautiful! I was able to meet so many people in this way! ...Well, I had no particularly negative experiences with cosplay, I think! Basically because this kind of bad experiences arise in competitions and contests where some people could do anything to win! At least that’s what lots of people told me and what I hear more frequently...’Cause I have never participated in a cosplay contest (especially for my shyness or just because I do not feel up enough!).. But if one day I will participate in a contest I hope not to run into this type of bad experiences... And I hope I could live a good experience instead :)

Honey Mary OK...Actually, I do not have so much time for other hobbies! I am a university student here in my city and I am attending the second year of my course of study...and it is really complicated! My university is based on chemistry! I can say that I really like it because it is also very practical! I enjoy a lot the laboratory classes even if sometimes I am afraid for my safety and for that of those around me! And well, just as in all other universities, at certain times of the year there are many exams (also very long and difficult) and many classes to follow! So I can’t easily work on my cosplay projects... Even if I like it! But I am aware of how important it is to study for me... To ensure a job in my future! And I really hope so :) However, even if I cannot afford too many distractions... Usually in my spare time I draw a little! When I was a child I used to draw a lot...I loved it. But lately I had to quit because of my lack of time! As all of you know, sometimes in life you have to make choices even if you don’t want to... But don’t worry... This was my choice! And I’m still happy to be able to draw sometimes (although much less than before) :)

What other hobbies do you have?

What plans do you have for 2015?

First of all I hope that next year I can get even better! And I hope I can create more accurate and detailed cosplays! In short, something of which I can be proud! :) Usually I do not reveal my future cosplans... This is not because I want to keep them secret or something like that, but only because I change my mind so frequently! In fact, it happens that while I’m working on a cosplay, I see something I like more and so I stop and I immediately start working on something else! And then, I return to work to my previous cosplay! At least I can say for sure that in 2015 I want to do other Ryuko versions from Kill la Kill, probably the crossover with Yoko from Gurren Lagann and also Senketsu Kisaragi (Kamui Senkestsu Fashion Week which is Ryuko’s looks in the last episod of the series)! Also I was thinking of GoGo Tomago from the new Disney’s film Big Hero 6 and Super Sonico Gloomy Bear! I do not know on what I will work first! So I have to leave this doubt! Bye~

Honey Mary

ÂŠ Andrea Rossi

Serah Kirby

Age: 23 For how long have you done cosplay? I’ve been doing cosplay for the past two years. What was your first cosplay? My first cosplay was Angewomon from Digimon. Which was your easiest cosplay? Which your hardest one? My easiest cosplays have been Mario Bros, Kirby and Supergirl. My hardest cosplay was Angewomon. Which have been your best and worst experiences while doing cosplay?

My best experience was when they invited me of judge a contest, to see that the people like my cosplays and the emotion that evokes them, the children smiling. And my worst experience… Mmm, I fortunately don’t have particular experience that I could tag as my worst. What other hobbies do you have? Some of my hobbies are doing exercises, skating, listening to music, playing video games, going out in the nature, dancing and much more. What plans do you have for 2015? During this 2015 I plan to make several new cosplays and also new improvements in a couple I already have. Some of the ones I © Made In Plute can reveal right now are Pikachu, Ashe, Supergirl (another version), Angewomon (improved), Yuna, and Alicia in the wonderland. Keep on the lookout for other updates.

Dustbunny

ÂŠ Fremen Atreides

Dustbunny Age: 26 For how long have you done cosplay? I’ve been doing cosplay since 2003. What was your first cosplay? The cosplay with which I started in this hobby was Kagome from Inuyasha. Which was your easiest cosplay? Which your hardest one? My easiest cosplay so far has been Sasuke from Naruto and in contrast my hardest was Liliana from Magic the Gathering. Which have been your best and worst experiences while doing cosplay? The experiences that I enjoy the most are judging costume contests and meeting fans. And most definitely, the ones that I dislike the most are missing cosplay gatherings.

What other hobbies do you have? I love to bake and cook.

What plans do you have for 2015?

I will be attending: Katsucon, Longbeach comic con, Wondercon, CosplayLA, Ninja-Con, Anime Expo and I still have a few pending. :)

Culture Happy New Year! Happy New Year and our best wishes from DME.

By Faux

n this section of the magazine youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll always find some interesting, bizarre or unique fact regarding general Asian culture, from tradition and mythology to pop culture. If you consider a topic should b deepened or presented for a next issue of the mag, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hesitate to send us a message via facebook or to one of the following emails darukumuntsu@live.com or darukumuntsu@ gmail.com

or Asians, new year is an important holiday and it has a more powerful and deep meaning. New Year is time to visit the Shinto Shrines or Buddhist Temples, praying for the spiritual entities for a successful, healthy and wealthy new year, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to spend time with relatives and friends.

In Japan, the Western Calendar (A.K.A. Gregorian Calendar) started to be used since 1873 during the Edo period, different from other countries that used calendars with similarities with the Chinese calendar. From January first to the fourth most of the stores and establishments are closed, though there are also different festivals and activities during this time of the year. Here are the most known holidays.

Culture Hatsumōde (初詣, from January 1st to January 3rd) Hatsumode -初 means “first”, and 詣 means “shrine visit”-. From December 29th to January most of the people don’t have to work, so they do their first shrine visit after the midnight of New Year’s Eve. The environment is full of joy and it’s the chance to watch women and children wearing brightly colored kimonos. The visitors hand out coins and even banknotes, they chime the bells and then pray, wishing a successful new year. It’s normal to see large lines in the main shrines. Until the 19th centuries it was normal to visit the local sanctuaries –known as Ujigami (氏神) - that protected the family, nowadays people got used to visiting the most famous or largest shrines. The most well-known temples are the Meiji Shingu Shrine (which records millions of visitors during the three days) and the Kawasaki Haishi Shrine in the Kanagawa prefecture. In the temples Omamori (お守り– charm) are sold and the old ones are returned to be burnt. There are different kinds of charms, some give luck in the school others for health or love.

For the occasion, it’s usual to buy an omikuji (XX, written oracle). The omikuji shows how you will do in some aspects of your life like business or love, since in many Asian cultures, getting married is a fundamental part of the social structure. Often one has to buy a charm for good luck to summon fortune and wealth along the year. If an omikuji foretells bad luck, it’s tied to the tress around the shrine, hoping that it doesn’t get fulfilled. By the way, Hatsumode is the perfect excuse for youngsters that live with their parents to go out with friends ‘til late in the night.

The shrine’s lights plus the late afternoon creates a magical atmosphere.

The right way to pray in the shrines is:

The design of this Omamori shows that it was made in the Kumamoto Shrine and asks for protection for the bearer.

1. Before getting in the main part of the shrine you should bow in the Torii (temple gate). 2. After passing the entrance, there’s a small fountain for hand washing, from there go to the main part of the temple, where entities are. 3. Handout your saisen (賽銭-money offered to the Kamis) in the saisen box and chime the bell. 4. Bow twice, clap twice and then pray silently asking for something like favors or just thanking. 5. After the pray, bow once again before leaving the temple.

Culture Shogatsu (正月, from January 1st to January 3rd)

Nana-kusa no Sekku (七草の節句, January 7th)

Shogatsu it’s the counterpart of New Year, during New Year’s Eve, the shrines chime the bells a hundred eight times, symbolizing the one hundred eight Buddhist sins and it’s believed that after the chimes, the sins are vanished away or forgiven.

Nana-kusa no Sekku was a holiday celebrated during the Edo period -A.K.A. Tokuga period from 1603 to 1868-. This holiday means seven herbs festival, and a congee (rice porridge) with the seven herbs is prepared.

An osoji or cleaning is performed during these days, cleaning the house, office or workplace to purify the environment giving freshness for the next twelve months.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

After the cleaning, different traditional dishes are cooked like soba noodles both at homes and in shrines. Also dishes like o-sechi ryori and o-zini are prepared. O-sechi ryori are dishes made of pork, shrimps, eggs, and almonds -considered as goodluck food- and o-zini is a glutinous served with fish broth.

Seri (せり), water dropwort. Nazuna (なずな), shepard’s purse. Gogyō (ごぎょう), cudweed. Hakobera (はこべら), chickweed. Hotokenoza (ほとけのざ), nipplewort. Suzuna (すずな), turnip. Suzushiro (すずしろ), radish.

The herbs may vary depending on the region. It’s believed that these herbs promote repose for the overloaded stomach and brings health for this year. It’s also believed that these herbs are the strongest ones of the season, so if the herbs are eaten people get stronger.

Each square in the O-sechi ryori box represents a specific food. Although the herbs grow near streams, some may be poisonous. In many markets herbs are sold like these ones above.

Culture Seijin no hi (成人の日, January 12th Monday) This year Janaury 12th was the “coming of age day”, and those who were born from last year’s April 2nd to April 1st of this year are going to turn twenty years old -which means majority age-. Local governments make a “welcome” to the adulthood and tell them about their duties and responsibilities, and the things they are going to face in society as adults. For the occasion girls put make up on, wear furisode -long sleeves kimonos, it’s the most formal dress before marriage- and fur necks. Men wear hakamas but due to the modernization, suits have become more common.

Furisode are long sleeves kimonos with elaborate designs, fur necks are used because in case of cold weather.

After the ceremony many youngsters and their families visit the shrines. The birth rate in Japan is getting lower and it’s expected that in the next three or five years the highest demographic point will be reached before falling. If there’s a topic about the Asian culture, like our facebook page and comment or send us a message.