Christmas in Rural Japan

Posted December 17th, 2012 by C.J.Ryall

As December rolls around again,
Another year comes to an end,
Another Christmas, snow on the trees,
As our town, Mori, begins to freeze.

Our little mountain village by the stream,
A natural paradise, 'small town dream',
Garden of Eden, far from the city,
Green and silent, snow bound and misty.

High above the plains of Matsusaka,
In a rustic area called Iitaka,
A rural place not far from Nara,
Our very own Earthly 'Nirvana'.

Christmas in the Land of the Rising Sun,
With my darling love, it’s always fun,
A heavenly angel to be sure,
This life with her, who could ask for more?

Christmas Carols, a 'Nativity Scene',
The fruit cake is hot, and the tea is green,
A parcel from siblings, cards from friends,
And New Year wishes, our family sends.

Japan has become our second home,
"New Year's" with the locals, 'when in Rome …'
Drinking 'sa-ke', hearing tunes on a fife,
Were we Japanese in a previous life?

Enjoying a stroll by the river,
Embracing what life here will deliver,
Our years in Japan, what an adventure,
My love and I, living it together.

In Mori Town, which the mountains surround,
The soft falling snow makes hardly a sound,
Noel, Yuletide, in this white winter zone,
Christmas in Japan, in our 'home sweet home'.

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very nice Chris...Maybe too nice

On December 18th, 2012 David O Whalen says:

David o Whalen
Clean up the guest room and stock up the fridge
me and my family will soon come over the ridge.
A tip: describe good, (but not too good!)

The Door Is Always Open

On December 18th, 2012 C.J.Ryall says:

G'day David,

LOL. Good advice - thanks. And as for you, my friend, you are always most welcome. The guest 'sofa' (in our living room) is ready! Ha ha.

Warmest regards to you,

Chris :-)

I loved it! It makes me want to have Christmas in Japan. It sounds so cozy. It reminds me of my favorite Christmas movie, The Holiday because there's a cute little cottage in the English country. As a green tea drinker, I love how you stuck that in there. It was all very clever and enlightening . You have a very blessed life. God Bless!
Great write!=]
Abigail Joy

Love and Joy!

On December 19th, 2012 C.J.Ryall says:

Dear Abigail,

Thank you ever so much for taking the time to comment on my poem - I'm so glad you loved it! My first 'white Christmas' was here in Japan, as it doesn't ever snow where I lived in Australia (Gold Coast). I haven't seen 'The Holiday', but I will 'google' it and try and find out more about it. I think my favorite Christmas movies are "It's a Wonderful Life" (very old, with James Stewart - free on YouTube), Love Actually (Hugh Grant), and Scrooge.

Yep, Mandy and I love green tea - we actually get given lots of it by neighbors and friends, so we're very lucky. Mandy even gets to hand pick it directly from the bushes behind the Junior High School she works at, as part of a student education activity every year in May. She then watches as it's processed (dried and shredded) into packaged 'green tea' leaves.

Thanks again for your kind words - much appreciated. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year in 2013! :-D

Warmest regards,

Chris

To Be

On December 19th, 2012 kathy paysen says:

Dear Chris,

This poem sang. It had the essence of Japan in every verse. I could feel the peace of your pen. It was extremely inviting and relaxing. It was so gentle and calm. It made me want to open the computer window and step into your world.

It is amazing how you and Mandy have learned Japan's language and culture. If I wanted to be from somewhere else ... Japan would be a beautiful fit. Japan ... so small ... and yet ... so extraordinarily giving to our world.

You are fortunate to have two homes. You are also fortunate to have Mandy. To have a soul mate, and be on this remarkable journey together is awesome.

Your soul is awakening. I can feel the calm in your composition and your intuition. You are wonderful and your leadership in our writing community is inspirational.

Hey! You should write a Christmas Vacation movie! ... What happens when the Poetry Showcase buddies show up for Christmas dinner in Japan with the Ryall's ... :o)

Have a blessed Christmas!

Love always,

Kathy

Dallas, Texas

Songs of Joy

On December 19th, 2012 C.J.Ryall says:

Dear Kathy,

Thanks ever so much for your warm response - it's always lovely to read your comments. I'm glad this poem sang to you, because I just love Christmas music - all those songs of joy putting smiles on people's faces. And at the same time, I'm thrilled that you could soak up a bit of the Christmas atmosphere that exists here in the mountains over winter (but especially at Christmas and New Years). Compared to the cities, there is a real 'peace' and quiet here in this rural alpine village. It's almost reassuring to hear a car go past, because you could otherwise think that the world had stopped or ended! LOL.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could step into photos or paintings, or in this case, a computer 'window' on one's screen. It would be like Doraemon's 'Doko Demo Door' (which the popular Japanese animated character keeps in his pocket, and when he takes it out, he can walk through it to anywhere he wishes). Our 'computer window' is always open to you, dear friend. It would be so nice if you could visit us here someday. Mandy and I love it here, and it has indeed become our 2nd home. We really like the culture and customs, and the language has become very familiar to us after 16 years here. Yes, I am very fortunate to experience it all with my soulmate - she's my angel.

The Christmas Vacation movie sounds like riotous fun! Ha ha. Maybe we could write it together - a Christmas collaboration! There would be lots of jokes based on cultural differences, challenges with the language, and of course some general fun within the theme of seasonal travel and Christmas itself. Did you ever see the movie with Bill Murray, Lost in Translation? Heh. I pray that your Christmas this year is filled with joy and love. God bless.

Kind regards,

Love, Chris xo

Room With A View Please

On December 19th, 2012 Leaking Pen says:

Leaking Pen
Dear Chris
I think I have chosen the wrong country for my white Christmas, I like all of your friend am coming over to your Shangrila, you have painted an exquisite poem celebrating the nature of Christmas, I want to reserve the best view, I want a room with the view, for I have asked and reserved it first, I love the sensual description in every line, the images flow from the heart of a true poet, an open invitation to nature's beauty so representing the Christmas spirit and message, you always weave spiritual messages that we all embrace, what else is left to say expect Merry Christmas to you and Mandy, I enjoyed receiving your special Christmas card , I will display is proudly as the crown on my Christmas tree
Truly
Paul

Temporary Vacancy

On December 20th, 2012 C.J.Ryall says:

Dear Paul,

We have one room with a view, but book quickly, as there have been many who have stated a wish to visit! LOL. As I said to David and Kathy and intimated to Abigail, you are most welcome here anytime. The trees outside are decorated with snow, and the green tea is hot and ready to go. So for visitors we are hopin', and our front door is always open.

You won't ever experience a white Christmas in Australia, I'm sorry to say. Ha ha. Unless you are talking of white hot sand on the beach! It was truly wonderful and dream-like experiencing my first white Christmas here in Japan at the age of 27 (back in '91 when I first came here). Since then, my wife and I have enjoyed many 'white Christmases', and it's great to soak up the atmosphere that we, as Australians, once only knew from looking at pictures on Christmas cards. Heh.

Thanks so much for your glowing comments on my Christmas poem - much appreciated, good friend. I'm very glad you liked it. Merry Christmas to you, from Mandy and I - wishing you a Happy New Year in 2013!

Cheers,

Chris

Room With A View Please

On December 19th, 2012 Leaking Pen says: