Jack O' Lantern
Originally uploaded by Tokyorosa
Halloween is coming!
I was talking about Holloween to two of the researchers in the lab. Both are from China. Both have young children. I asked if they would take their children trick or treating. One had never done it before and was intrigued by the idea. How do you know which house to go to? The answer, from the other researcher was: If there is a lantern, a kind of light, out front, you can go there. A light? What kind of light, asked the other researcher. Oh, one made from a pumpkin, came the reply.
A light made from a pumpkin?
How strange American customs are!
I was reminded, writing this, of Setsubun, the Japanese holiday where someone scatters beans around the house (mamemaki) to chase out the demons and bring good luck. After, the members of the house eat beans, one for each year equal to their age plus one for good luck.
Scattering beans around the house?
How strange Japanese customs are!
No comments:
Post a Comment