conversations
Japan uses an ancient form of the zodiac
called eto. The animals are as follows: Rat (ne), Ox (ushi),
Tiger (tora), Rabbit (u), Dragon (tatsu), Snake (mi), Horse
(uma), Sheep (hitsuji), Monkey (saru), Rooster (tori), Dog
(inu), and Boar (i). Each animal is assigned a position in a
twelve year rotating cycle. Next year, 2007, will end the
current cycle with the Boar, and begin again with the Rat in
2008. Each animal acts as a totem for that year and most people
will have some effigy of the totem on display in their home,
office, or store.
If you add “'doshi” (year) to
each of the names above, you will be able to use the
designations correctly. This year is Inu-doshi, next year,
I-doshi, and the following year Ne-doshi. It used to be common
for people to state their age by the year in which they were
born. I would respond to such as question by saying,
“Hitsuji-doshi umare desu.” (I was born in the year
of the sheep). Most people looking at a glance would recognize
me to be in my early fifties, so if they feel a real need, they
may calculate backwards to find the true year of my birth. It
is obvious that I was not born in 1943 or 1967, so that leaves
1955 as the correct answer.
The animal totems are not limited to
years alone. Each month is assigned an animal in the same
sequence, as is each hour of the day (days used to be divided
into twelve hours). By adding the suffix “-doki”
after the name of the animal you will be able to properly
designate any given hour. One o'clock (that is 12:00 midnight
to 2:00 a.m.) is Ne-doki, and six o'clock (12:00 noon to 2:00
p.m.) would be Mi-doki.
Armed with this information, it is fun to
speculate as to the story behind this piece!
Let's look at each year and the
personalities exhibited by the totems and their minions,
starting with 2007 - The year of the Boar (i-doshi).
Year of the Boar
Boar (inoshishi) --- Born 1995, 1983,
1971, 1959, 1947, 1935, 1923, 1911. People born in the year of
the Boar are brave. They have tremendous inner strength which
no one can overcome. They display great honesty. They are
short-tempered, yet hate to quarrel or have arguments. They are
affectionate and kind to their loved ones.
While in the West we exchange Christmas
cards, in Japan New Year post cards (nengajo) are sent out.
Traditionally the custom has been to pay a visit within the
first few days of the new year to people important in your
life. This would include your landlord, employer, your major
customers, and of course family and friends. New Year cards
were often left when no one was home, or sent when it was
inconvenient to pay a visit in person. This has turned into a
major industry in Japan.
By custom the cards should be written,
and delivered on New Years day, which is quite a fete in most
cases! Most people will write them well ahead of time and drop
them in the mail the last few weeks of December. As long as it
is a New Year Card, the post office will hold on to it and make
a special delivery of all your cards to you on the first
of January.
Many people enjoy making their own cards
to send out, as do I. Even more take joy in finding unusual
ones to share with their friends. For this article, along with
the traditional imagery, I've decided to include some of the
New Year cards I've done over the years. I hope you enjoy them!
DREAMS
natural dyes on linen
John Marshall, 2007
Year of the Rat
Rat (nezumi) --- Born 2008, 1996, 1984,
1972, 1960, 1948, 1936, 1924, 1912. People born in the year of
the Rat are charming, honest, ambitious, and have a tremendous
capacity for pursing a course to its end. They will work hard
for their goals. They are easily angered but maintain an
outward show of control.
The rats are shown here nibbling away at
the bales of rice, symbolizing abundance.
REFLECTIONS
natural dyes on silk
John Marshall, 1996
Year of the Ox
Ox (ushi) --- Born 1997, 1985, 1973,
1961, 1949, 1937, 1925, 1913. People born in the year of the Ox
are patient, mentally alert and when required to speak are
skillful. They have a gift for inspiring confidence in others.
This allows them to achieve a great deal of success.
PASTURE
natural dyes on silk
John Marshall, 1997
Year of the Tiger
Tiger (tora) --- Born 1998, 1986, 1974,
1962, 1950, 1938, 1926, 1914. People born in the year of the
Tiger are sensitive, stubborn, short-tempered, courageous,
selfish and slightly mean - yet they are deep thinkers and are
capable of great sympathy for those they are close to and love.
INDIFFERENCE
Natural dyes on silk
John Marshall, 1998
