There are just ten days left in this year.
There is not much you have hurriedly to do, but everyone looks busy at this time of year in Japan.
We call December "Ju-nigatsu" that just means 12th month of year in Japanese.
However, in ancient time, every month has a name.
December-Shiwasu(師走）, January-Mutsuki（睦月）,
February-Kisaragi（如月）,March-Yayoi（弥生）,
April-Uzuki（卯月）, May-Satsuki（五月）,
June-Minazuki（水無月）, July-Fumizuki(文月）,
August-Hazuki（葉月）, September-Nagatsuki（長月）,
October-Kannazuki（神無月）, November-Shimotsuki（霜月）.
Every month is written in Chinese character that represents the month's characteristics.
It is very easy and convenient to call the months in numbers in everyday life, nevertheless, I like the beautiful sounds of the names for these 12 months.
Isn't it interesting that Shiwasu has a Chinese character "走” meaning running?
Odori Park in Sapporo
Part of the park is illuminated between December and mid-January every year.
