A Year to forget – 忘年会・(ぼうねんかい)

Whenever I think I make a quick post about a topic, somehow I always end up with a full-fledged study in some way…well I shouldn’t mind, I guess, because it brings back some many cherished memories (i.e. the CAMPHOR TREE・楠). This post about the dried persimmons, sets me right back into Japan during this month of year.
October days are most pleasant with skies clear, the air refreshingly cool, leaves fiery red or bright yellow. Ideal for hikes in the countryside or leisurely walks in quite neighborhoods of the cities and towns. The autumn season has much to offer for the eye, but also comes up with many delectable amenities, of which the dried persimmon is one of them. With producing techniques nowadays in place, the nutritious treat could technically be made available all year round. However, only during the autumn months one will notice the fruits on strings hanging from below the eaves of resident housings and in front of windows on balconies of apartment buildings. So this practice of drying persimmon outdoors in the sunlight is distinctly associated to this time of year, therefore considered an aspect of FUUBUTSUSHI (風物詩・ふうぶつし; things reminiscent to seasons), in other words the emotional awareness by Japanese people for certain seasonal characteristics, apart from such things as natural phenomenons, living things or sense of taste.
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If visiting Japan during May, the air will be filled with an aromatic smell that emanates from the camphor. Even within the cities one may notice the scent as these evergreen trees with brilliant foliage are often found in parks, on playgrounds or as shading trees along the streets.
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As the warm winds blow in to lift the veil of dullness that winter imposed on everything, the newly inhaled life invigorates humans and nature alike. A feeling of encouragement and zest holds sway, things are on the move. In Japan this sentiment is emphasized by the fact that spring often marks the end and the beginning of terms. Students graduate or change schools (卒業; そつぎょう and 転校; てんこう respectively), businesses welcome new employees or rotate roles (incl. 転勤 tenkin, job relocation within the firm to other prefectures or even countries), others search for new housing (引っ越し; ひっこし). Thus, the period may be considered as a time of transitions to the unfamiliar, but also goodbyes to established habits.
個人的に言えば、2014年は素晴らしく、ダイナミックな年でした。2015年もきっと同じように続くと信じております。昨年に亘って頂いた心遣いや優待の数々、どうもありがとうございました。今年も連絡を取り合えると嬉しいです。職場のプロジェクトと同様にプライベートの仕事の成功、ご多幸、健康をお祈りしております。
年末になると誰もが忙しくなり、山ほど年賀状(ねんがじょう)を書いて送ったり、大掃除(おおそうじ)を したり、お正月の準備を したり、忘年会(ぼうねんかい)に参加(さんか)したりして、たくさんのことが起っている。