Omotenashi

Omotenashi. The way of treating of visitors in japan.  I might as well say omotenashi do.  Just like karate do or judo. Japanese “do” meaning the way or the philosophy of something、like the term karate do =the philosophy of karate or the way of karate.  Japanese people prefer to say karatedo than just simply karate. 

So as to their tea ceremony as chado the way of tea ceremony.  Way does not plainly mean how to ,but it includes all the tradition, history and the emotional aspect of the person.  It means they have acquired these techniques all the way thru from great teachers or passed along from generations to generations unchanged .

Omotenashido.  It is a very deep traditional culture handed from generations to generation where they treat their visitors in the most highest level.     

My children’s wedding which will be on March is again also one of the special moments where they can treat their friends to another wedding party conclusively .   The guest will be mostly their close friends, former classmates co- workers parents and relatives.  

Whereas the guests give the newly wed a special wedding envelope they call kekkon Shogi fukoro,  which contains money 、the newly wed couple has to return half of it as okaishi or thank you gift in gratitude as a tradition.   The couple prepares sets of gifts to be given to all who attend the  wedding.   

But the preparation also doesn’t end there.  In  yuta and risa’s wedding now all of us are so busy making their welcome space or corner for the wedding.   I tried sanding some wood slices to be use in the welcome corner, and realizing it was not so easy as I thought .   But also  as a family we are trying to take time to make sure the visitors will enjoy and   Share our happiness too  in this very special day.  Omotenashido includes the values of our families and the way to give gratitude to all those who are part of our lives.   To all those who will be with us and from the generations to come. 

For love

For friends and for our children's children