Oshōgatsu 2025

JSFC held its 2025 Oshōgatsu celebration on Sunday, January 12, 2025 at the Rowayton Community Center, 33 Highland Avenue Rowayton, CT 06853.

Kakizome

For the first time, our Oshogatsu gave attendees a chance to participate in the Japanese custom of kakizome. The Japanese phrase '書き初め' (kakizome) refers to the traditional practice of writing the first calligraphy of the year. It is composed of two kanji characters: '書き' (kaki) meaning "to write" and '初め' (hajime) meaning "beginning" or "first."
During 書き初め, people write auspicious words, phrases, or poems using a brush and ink on special paper. This practice is believed to bring good luck, express aspirations for the new year, and showcase one's calligraphy skills. It is often performed by individuals of all ages, from schoolchildren to adults.

Referenced from https://hinative.com/

Samples of three different types of tea and homemade cookies were offered by Emi Mills.

Hachiroku of New Haven was our caterer. We offered a choice of either an osechi (traditional New Year) bento or a non-osechi bento (pork tonkatsu, chicken teriyaki, vegan tofu, or a special Tokusen Chirashi bowl).

Left to right: Kelsey Chin, Christopher Foss, and Adam Robinson

Our Oshōgatsu featured live entertainment by members of the Hudson Valley Shakuhachi Choir. This group explores the resonant overtones and rich timbre of the Japanese bamboo flute. Founded by Elizabeth Brown and Ralph Samuelson, their repertoire includes traditional shakuhachi pieces, folk music, and contemporary works. their performance will feature a mini breakout group of the choir. Performers Adam Robinson, Christopher Foss, and Kelsey Chin have all studied the traditional repertoire for shakuhachi with Ralph and Elizabeth as well as in Japan, each with different teachers in the Kinko style.

We held our traditional mochitsuki 餅付き, during which attendees could take turns pounding hot cooked rice in a wooden usu using a kine (mallet). Our thanks to the Greenwich Japanese School, which for years has loaned us their usu and kine for this event.