My first real Shunbun

Today is a public holiday in Japan. It is the day when people pay a visit to the family graves and give them a tidy up, offer incense and goodies to the spirits of their ancestors. I have never actually experienced it before as we are never anywhere near DH's parent's place at this time of year. So this morning I was confused as to what all the rushing around was for. DH was vacuuming and cleaning things. I was just sitting at the computer catching up on emails etc. I noticed that the altar in our room (we sleep with the spirits every night if they happen to be there) had been decorated for today with some fresh pieces of fruit and greenery. 

About 10am to my surprise the first relatives showed up. DH's grandfather and father and DH are the first sons so this household is responsible for taking care of the spirits of this family. So an aunty showed up with her husband, baring cookies and sake, prayed at the shrine or alter and then was given a cup of tea and some cake which they ate and 20-30 minutes later they were off again. 

About half an hour later the same thing was repeated when another aunty arrived with her husband this time baring a case of alcohol free beer and some really yummy looking strawberries. 

I took a photo but can't upload it yet, sorry.

Through all of this I had not gotten round to do my hair or making myself look presentable. I suppose this didn't really matter as they were more interested in looking at my belly that looks rather like a basketball these days.

In the afternoon we had a nap. This is becoming rather a habit. We turn on the electric carpet grab a pillow and lie on the floor with a blanket on top. Today was very funny as Sebastian decided he would take a nap too but that he would like to lie right between us and under the blanket with his head on my arm. It was very cute and I wish somehow I could have gotten a photo of it. Unfortunately Sebastian is becoming a real snorer so between DH and Sebastian it was hard for me to go to sleep. But don't worry I did get a good 30 minutes or so. 

Tomorrow DH will be put to work in the melon fields again. Not sure what I'm going to do. 

The latest news we have from Iwaki is that some gasoline and food has started to make it through to Iwaki and that the highway to Iwaki is now open to regular traffic so hopefully from now things will slowly start to go back to normal, but it will take a long time before everyone can replenish their food and gasoline stores, so I see a lot of shortages going on for a while yet. But something is better than nothing.