Prose poem
We
swam in seas & pools
rambled to friends –
meet trees, gather
stones – artifacts
to fill scrapbooks
We play songs, together
今年も そっと、すすんでいきます。
(This year too, we gently continue on)
Wonder of NY cards
January 1 is my favorite bit of holidays because something like 150 folks around Japan will get their Olson family new year card. I hope one is for you :) and about that many around the rest of the world in weeks before and after, sometimes way after
We love making and whole process of mailing, addressing, stamping (both postal and ink) and very much hope that you enjoy the details added with intention and affection
note: in years past, up to 1 billion cards were delivered on January 1 (usually by noon) by the Japan Post service (zipping on SuperCub motorbikes or red vans to even the most remote corners of Japan) which is truly a marvel. Due to proliferation of electronic means, rising cost of postage and fading traditions at large, this number reduces each year yet we do our best. In fact, last year Okayama Central post office ranked 11th nationwide in volume, I think our 500 in 2025 had something to do with our minor provincial city climbing the ranks
Situation at hand
This year – due to frustrations with inefficiencies and unreliability Canada Post and US Postal Service – we mailed rather few to these countries with a focus towards folks not so Internet-y and/or having a bit of a tough go of it. Past years had 200+ to US/CAN yet still a few cards at hand to float out in special service, doing our best, really
Yet, over five or six or ten visits to the post office, we’ve sent a solid fistful to friends spread around the world for geography fun times and keeping connections warm
Dossier, multi-purpose
However, because we care about each of our friends so very much (this means you) this dossier has both handy JPEG versions (above) as well as a downloadable/printable PDF complete with crop marks (below)
Also included are all the various elements/stems so you can even create your own version if desired
Design details
The front (recto) mounted on assorted pink brocade washi paper is a photo by Matsushita-san – Ryoko’s former classmate – of Homare Atelier photo studio, taken at Munetade Shrine at Ichiro 3-5-7 day celebration. Mom and him are in lovely traditional wear while Dad in the back holds the gang together with his hat just staying put. And Ichiro especially loves the shrine guardian looming behind us like a fourth member of the family
Our family name is added on another lovely piece of paper from Suzuki Shoten in Kurashiki (Ichiro and I bought a couple mix-and-match odds and end bags on a visit while mom was at her tree doctor final exam) with Lettraset letters (which are rubbed on by pencil from the crinkly plastic sheet, these ones from my mother’s stash, going back to the 70s or 80s) complete with artifacts and imperfections
note the 2026 is followed by R.8 which is it a way of expressing the imperial year Reiwa (which switched in May 2019 from Heisei 31 to Reiwa 1, fun right?)
The back (verso) features a bit of handwritten prose poem message (below) with lines in English reflecting notes from the year behind (with some poetic allusions to “chop wood, carry water”) and a line in Japanese taking us gently into the new year, framed & arranged with more Lettraset details (the “postcard” designation and the squiggly separator line), & 2 sketches by Ichiro! – one creating a bonus ¥0 stamp – who also offered his own signature first time
Our family name is mirrored this time stylized in katakana in beautiful Shodo ink style from a hanging sign to designate our room at a Ryokan during our summer road trip. If you look closely, you’ll see ぶり (buri) written in pencil which was the name of our room, it’s a kind of fish which is traditionally eaten on New Year’s Day. This was clipped and cut and put in our scrapbook and then repurposed to add to the card
Print your own
Alt photos
all by Matsushita-san of Homare Atelier at Munetade Shrine, delivered uncorrected/edited. Which is your fave?
Artifacts & elements
Take the pieces, make your own, let us know when you come up with in your remix
Fond wishes
We wish you such fond greetings for the year of the horse ahead, and hope that you ride comfortably, gracefully and safely to the destinations chosen in your life ~ whether at a gallop, a saunter or possibly a canter… or hanging out in the field or a barn. Just be careful with the jumps
We love receiving your cards and letters, festive and otherwise, each is opened with intention and gratitude and savoured, discussed and cherished.
