A Japanese New Year

Just considering some of the odds and ends about New Year's in Japan. This is the holiday, more than Christmas, even though the merchants love Christmas -- lots of lights, decorations, and all that. Still, the real holiday is New Year's day -- or even New Year's eve.
( Details for the curious )

A time to visit family, friends, and kick off a New Year with hopes for help from everyone. That web of relationships is central to Japan, and this is one of the holiday festivals that re-affirms it.

And so, it begins. This year, again, please give me your kind help.