Free

Freedom Road Term Paper Essay Howard Fast, the author of the book Freedom Road, was born on November 11, 1914 and died at the age of 89 on March 12, 2003. Fast lived a long and adventurous life. A few of the things he did throughout his lifetime were; joining the American Communist party in 1943, serving a prison term in 1950 for refusing to cooperate with the House Committee on Un-American Activities, and his books were purged from American school libraries. On the other hand some of the positive things that happened in his life was that in 1953, he was rewarded the Stalin Peace Prize and in June of 1937 he married his first wife, Bette Cohen. In adjunction with his adventurous lifestyle, Fast spent most of his time writing. He wrote seven works of nonfiction, two autobiographies, fifty-two novels, five short stories one essay, and seven Masao Masuto Mysteries under the Penn name E.V. Cunningham. As well as writing, he created two films based off novels. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Fast) In the book Freedom Road, Howard Fast tells a fictional story based off the true events that occurred during the Constitutional Convention. The beginning of the book does not start the way most books start. This novel starts by talking about the main character, Gideon, as if we are supposed to know who he is. At first, this is confusing but after a couple of pages, you catch on and start to understand a lot easier. The first thing we are told about in the book is how all of the freed men from the small town of Charleston, had left a few weeks back to go vote. However, neither the town nor the men who left knew what voting actually was. Not knowing what voting was, made everyone who stayed in town very nervous and worried, they were not sure whether or not those men would be coming home or not. Therefore, when they men were spotted walking back into town everyone was extremely excited and could not wait to hear all about this voting thing. However, it seemed that none of the men were really talking, until one of them tells the town that they have some big news to share with everyone. Thus far, into the book, we have yet to hear from the main character, and we have actually been reading from his wives point of view. Once the returning men started talking, the book transitions from the wives point of view to Gideon’s, and that is when things start to pick up. We learn that the men’s big news is the fact that Gideon was elected to be a delegate. Because of his prowess in battle, the other ex-slaves looked to him as their leader in peacetime, but he was an uneducated man who felt himself unsuited for leadership. Yet knowing that his people wanted and needed him, he was determined to make himself fit into the pattern their hopes had cut out for him. However, none of them truly knew what a delegate was or what exactly a delegate did. The only thing they really knew was the Gideon would be receiving a letter once all the votes were counted to tell him if he had won the election. Several months go past in the book and nothing happens, no one in the town hears anything about Gideon being elected. Then one day, the postal man comes around and hands Gideon the letter that he had been waiting for. At this point in the book, we find out how afraid he is to go to Charleston because he is a â€Å"nigger.† He feels as though he is not very smart. He does not want to go â€Å"to city full of white houses†¦ full of white folks making fun†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (p. 16-17). So in order to help him overcome that fear Brother Peter tells him the people need a leader and because of how strong Gideon is physically and mentally, he was chosen to represent them. Because of Brother Peter, Gideon decides to go to Charleston. When he arrives in Charles and he realizes that, he has no money and no place to sleep, so he ends up sleeping under a hay barrel for the first night. It is the next morning when Gideon is offered a couple of cents for some physical labor, he reluctantly accepts the job realizing that he has no other option but to. Because of that money he is able to rent a room for the nights he will be at the convention, buy some food, and clothes that will look appropriate for the convention. Moreover, this is when we start getting into the convention. For the first couple of days Gideon was determined not to speak at the convention, in fear of making a fool of himself in front of all the educated white folk. Yet one day he is outraged and just cannot help himself, he gets up and speaks. Nevertheless, he was still embarrassed that he could not find the right words for what he was saying and for the fact that he sounded very uneducated compared to some of the rest. However when he was given some books that taught him how to read and speak properly, he began to speak out more and voice his opinion. To his surprise he was heard, people started to listen to what he was saying, and even siding with him. Fast explains that the Constitutional Convention worked because, though neither black nor poor whites were overly fond of each other, both realized they had a common enemy in a planter group. With the help of Gideon’s voice, and many others they fought against the planter group. The fought for a system of public schools, the abolition of imprisonment for debt, a simple and fair divorce law, a statute making it impossible for a wifes property to be sold in settlement of her husbands debts, and a measure for universal suffrage – which, came as close as man had ever come to giving women a break and land. Even though he fought for all of these things, the most important ones for Gideon were fair and equal education, and land. Throughout his time at the convention lets his wife slip away from him and stands by while a white northerner helps Gideons oldest son, Jeff, through medical school in Scotland; there was no medical school in America free enough from prejudice to accept him. Gideon loses site at what he loves the most in his life, and lets them all slip away because freedom seems more important than family. Some of the themes of this book are love and understanding, vigilance and perseverance, and hope. The reason why I say that a theme is love and understanding is because in the beginning of the book we hear about how his wife has stayed by his side through thick and thin. She waited for him though the war that he willingly signed up to go fight for. She let him go vote because she realized that even though no one knew exactly what it was, it was something of importance to her husband. In addition, though she has just gotten her husband back and did not want him to leave again; she understood that t his was something that he needed to do. She stood by his side, maybe not physically but mentally, throughout the entirety of the convention. Although this theme is not a main theme in the book, I think that it is a rather important one. The other theme I had mentioned was vigilance and perseverance. I believe these two themes are the main themes of the book, because everyone in this book is persevering in one way or another. Brother Peter insists that Gideon goes to the convention. Everyone at the convention is pushing for exactly what it is that they want written down, and his son is moving to a land unknown to him for an education that he cannot receive where he is. The last theme I had mentioned was hope. I believe that hope is the most predominant theme throughout the book, because every single person has hope. In the beginning, the town and the men who left were hoping that this voting thing was not going to get them killed. Gideon’s wife hoped that he would not leave her again, and when he did, she hoped that he would be okay and that she would get to see him again. The people of the convention all held on to the hope that what they say and what they want will be written down into a law. Then we have Gideon himself, he has hope that he will be able to read, write and give all freed slaves the right to an education. The theme of hope plays repeatedly throughout the story. All of the stories characters played a large role in the book, everyone influenced the book in one way or another, but a few of the characters that stood out to me are Brother Peter, Gideon, and Cardozo. The first character that really stands out to me is Brother Peter. I think the fact that he did not stand up and ask people to vote for him, as a delegate was a selfless act. All of the people in town look up to him and ask him for advice, they would have easily voted for him as they did Gideon, but brother Peter knew that Gideon would have more to learn from being a delegate than he would. Brother Peter also knew that Gideon would have more of a fight in him than he would. I th ink the reason why Brother Peter was so pushy about Gideon going to the convention was that he knew that Gideon would get things done. The other character that stands out to me is Gideon. Gideon starts in the beginning of the book being illiterate, but pushes though the struggle of learning how to read and write by himself. He also struggles with the fact that he is poor and does not measure up to some of the other people in the convention. Gideon fights for education and freedom so much that he lets go of everything that he truly loves. He lets his wife slip away and his son leaves. He forgets that he has people waiting for him back home. Even though I hate that he loses sight of the place he came from and his family, he over comes many struggles and fights to achieve his goals. The other character that stands out to me is Cardozo. Cardozo is the first person at the convention that comes up and talks to Gideon. I like the way Cardozo sees things differently, he is a black man that has been free all his life, got an education, socialized around white people his entire life. Therefore, when he first talks to Gideon he wants him to explain why black people should have en education. Once Gideon explains himself Cardozo understands, and helps Gideon as much as he can. He introduces him to all the right people, he supports him in the convention, and most of all he gave Gideon books that taught him how to read and write. He gave Gideon what he had come to fight for. I think it takes very kindhearted people to stand by someone who cannot even form the words to fight by themselves. Before I actually started reading this story, I thought it was going to be another extremely boring history book, however once I started I could not put it down. The way this story was written was fabulous. The way Fast incorporated Gideon’s thoughts, his writing and speaking was interesting. I loved that the real facts of what happened during that time was not just thrown in our faces, it was mixed into the fictional story that kept you interested. I think the way that we are lead through the past so effortlessly was a fascinating way to keep reader interested. I like the way Fast incorporated all the different kinds of people at the convention. In the story, the laws of freedom, education, and land would not have got through without the black folks and poor white folks being there. I think the way Fast portrayed Gideon, as a strong illiterate freedman was a great way to grab the reader’s attention and walk us through the past in a wonderful way. I think the only thing that Fast is really missing is more of Gideon speaking. Fast does an excellent narration of illiterate folks, but he does not do enough of it. Overall, this book was great, I will most likely be keeping it, and not reselling it so I can re-read it repeatedly.

Explore Shelley’s presentation of the impact of the Creature in the lig

Explore Shelley’s presentation of the impact of the Creature in the light of this comment. The Creature is described as ‘ a fiend of unparalleled barbarity’, yet many modern readers may sympathise with him. Explore Shelley’s presentation of the impact of the Creature in the light of this comment. It is my view, that the Creature may be seen from two main perspectives, on the one hand he may be seen as a â€Å"Monster†, â€Å"a fiend of unparalleled barbarity† and on the other he may be seen as a victim with whom the reader may sympathise. Out of the three narratives in the book, the one which occupies that major part of the book I that of Victor Frankenstein. It is from his perspective that we are imparted most of the evidence which may lead us to consider the Creature as a ‘Fiend of unparalleled barbarity.’ Throughout Frankenstein’s framed narrative, he refer to the Creature as â€Å"daemon†, â€Å"devil† or â€Å"wretch and perhaps (one may consider) with good reason considering the creature’s actions after his creation. Firstly, the Creature murdered Victor’s youngest brother William, an innocent child. However, the Creature’s true intentions when committing the murder remain unclear, as the Creature says, â€Å"I grasped throat to silence him, and in a moment he lay dead at my feet.† This statement, by the Creature, is of course ambiguous, as the Creature could have literally been trying to silence William, whilst on the other hand there is the more sinister aspect, that the Creature could have grasped William’s throat with a mind to silence him permanently. If we take Shelley’s view of her 1831 audience as â€Å"monsters thirsting for each others blood† then we would of course condemn the Creature, as someone who committe... ...cism against Islam, and particularly the Turks as something which was socially acceptable, this prohibiting from any form of empathy with the Creature. In conclusion, despite the Creature’s clearly appalling actions throughout the novel, I assert that these perhaps may be a result of the environment into which the Creature is created, just like a child born into an unstable and abusive household may often grow into an unstable and abusive person the Creature â€Å"born† into an abhorrent, un-accepting, unforgiving and violent world becomes abhorrent and violent himself, acting only the way others have acted towards him, with the utmost hate and unjustifiable violence, and it is because (I believe) the Creature is only a result of the environment into which he is created, a product of nurture as opposed to nature, that many modern readers sympathise with him.

National Identity

I agree that education has succeeded in fostering a positive sense of national identity. To both the citizens of Singapore and international bodies, a strong national Identity of Singapore would be the multiracial society we have and still being able to live harmoniously with one another. From the sass, various schemes were Introduced in bid to bring together students from the different language streams.One such scheme was the integrated schools, whereby schools from deference language streams were brought together on one compound and ran by one administration. The first Integrated government school was Buick Panging Government High School, which managed to bring together the English and Chinese streams under one roof. Also, measures were taken to place the different language streams on equal footing, for example, by Introducing common examinations.Before the scheme was Introduced, there was no universal education for children of all races and background, resulting In lesser children attending schools then. However, with the scheme introduced, children of all races and backgrounds can grow and learn together in harmony, without any form of biasness. The national pledge recited in school daily by both teachers and students is also another way of fostering the same national identity.It is stated in the pledge that ‘we, the citizens of Singapore, pledge ourselves as one united people, regardless of race, language or religion'. This is said at the beginning of the pledge, emphasizing its importance. The pledge would have been explained by teachers when students first entered primary school and with the constant recitation of the pledge, it is inevitable for the pledge to be deeply engraved in our minds, and the pledge, in our hearts, reciting it every morning, inanely pledging to abide by it.In Singapore, moral and national education is taught to students throughout the whole of their primary school and secondary school lives. According to the revised Moral a nd National Education Curriculum Guide published in June 2012, one of the aims stated for the subject is to develop a recognition of identity. On 13 October 2010, Chief Executive Donald Tsars stated in the â€Å"Policy Address 2010-2011 † that moral and national education would replace the current moral and civic education in order to ‘strengthen national education'.This shows how national identity is a big part of education and that the government Is constantly trying to further improve the lessons, In order to Include more national education related topics, to Inculcate a positive national identity In the students from a young age. National Identity By Toxin identity of Singapore would be the multiracial society we have and still being able to introduced in bid to bring together students from the different language streams. One such scheme was the integrated schools, whereby schools from difference administration.The first integrated government school was Buick Pangin g streams on equal footing, for example, by introducing common examinations. Before the scheme was introduced, there was no universal education for children of all races and background, resulting in lesser children attending schools then. However, shows how national identity is a big part of education and that the government is constantly trying to further improve the lessons, in order to include more national education related topics, to inculcate a positive national identity in the students from National Identity National identity affects the culture of India National identity refers to the individual’s sense of belonging to it. National identity may refer two people with different in personalities, geographical locations, belief systems, time and even spoken language, yet regard themselves and be seen by others as members f the same nation. The national identity is created and constructed it may not necessarily be false, as there is a constant agreement on the existence, if not on the definition of the nation as an entity. National identity is desired to see us in the nation, but nationhood also arises out of a wish to make sense of our world, to have our place in it legitimized. National identity is a fundamental means of self-definition. In other words national identity is often taken to mean a shared structure of feeling, largely imagined consciousness that is reinforced both through life’s daily routines as well as through ritualized, symbol-laden, celebrations of nationhood. Nevertheless, the negotiation of a national identity is a continuous and entirely voluntary process, which demands inclusively and the fair representation of peoples and cultures. National identity is about on a foundation of fact and fiction that together form an account or story of origins, myth, tradition, and invented tradition are systematically employed towards the making of a common ancestry. The basis for shared belongings and a distinctive identity vis-avis the identity of other nation–states. Therefore national identity is the sense of belonging nurtured by a commonly shared history, cultural continuity and belief in a national destiny (Cameron, 1999). National identity and Indian culture National identity in India was seen as individualizing each individual in terms of the globalization, religious nationalism and insecurity. India, with its multitudinous cultures, is fast shedding the mantle of its old identities and poised to wear new ones when Mahatma Gandhi said, â€Å" India lives in its village â€Å" he meant national identity. India has the largest population villages and towns in the world. Whereby, 70% of its citizens live in villages. This shows that Indians dominates in village and agriculture contribution to its annual GPD, since that no much as been changed since Gandhi’s time. In social, Indians regions have remained either romantic or colonial, both of which are nonexistent. A national identity may be a transient thing. But, what remains when nothing else will is an Indian sensibility. This is woven in each and every nuance of life that an Indian sees around himself. From sharing the connotations of the color red to the understanding of the mechanics of living within a society, the fact is that this knowledge exists within the framework of Indians values. This understanding that is uniquely called an Indian â€Å"sensitivity†, is what defines India. The sensitivity of Indian people is what means neighbors extend help and support to each other when they can live peaceful and unobtrusive lives. The social impact that the nation identity has brought into the regions is that Indians have been reared to live within a community in an interactive co-existing manner (Ganti, 2004). The culture change of Indians has been brought up by foreign adverts that used through medias, cinemas, but Indian audience does not cultivate the international taste, this is because majority prefer cinemas that they can relate to the change of culture of Indian which was due to the westernized nationalism where some of the Indians admired the character of Hitler, where it was known that Hitler attempt to reconcile change and continuing by taking of roots and traditions in a situation of industrialization and urbanization. This was for the Hindutva practice, whereby issues regarding national anthems, dress and foreign foods are given prominence, while profound social changes continue to affect every day life as before. The national identity formation in Indian culture was seen as expiring the Indian culture where it was affected by the globalization. The cultural heads in India like shanty Kumar’s Gandhi examined how cultural imagination of nation identity have been transformed by the rapid growth of satellite and cable television in postcolonial India. This group evaluated the growing influence of foreign and domestic satellite and cable channels are the major contributors that are going to affect the culture of Indian people. Kumar argues that India hybrid national identity is manifested in the discourses found in this variety of empirical sources (Menon, 2007).   He formed a group of representative in the nation and regional level that can promote the Indian languages in term of vernacular where media groups allocate some programs that encourage the use of national identity. In India minority has been used to describe people like the Dalits who are numerically significant but who, for politico-ideological reasons have been denied their right to full citizenship. Indians authority arrived at a point of allowing the mosaic of peoples and nations within a nation-state to enjoy pull rights to culture and communication. There are two aspects, which are centralized to the making and maintenance of national identity. Firstly the right to culture-the inalienable right to every nation irrespective of its status, to practice, express, promote its identity as a community provided that this does not infringe the rights of other nation to do the same. In other words an individual person rights needs to be located within a cultural of right is what sustains national identity. India is a tough case for any scholar trying to develop a general theory of nationalism, and with few exceptions, it does not figure in general introductory texts on the field. India is hardly a station cultural similarity or even equality in the western state: it is a country with deep embedded hierarchies and a very considerable degree of internal cultural variations (Juluri, 2004). References Cameron, K. (1999). National Identity. Intellect Books. Juluri, V. (2004). Becoming a Global Audience Longing and Belonging in Indian. Onent Longman. Menon, M. M. (2007). Cultural History of Modern India. Bergnahn Books. Ganti, T. (2004). Bolly Wood: A Guidebook to popular Hinds cinema. Routledge. National Identity I agree that education has succeeded in fostering a positive sense of national identity. To both the citizens of Singapore and international bodies, a strong national Identity of Singapore would be the multiracial society we have and still being able to live harmoniously with one another. From the sass, various schemes were Introduced in bid to bring together students from the different language streams.One such scheme was the integrated schools, whereby schools from deference language streams were brought together on one compound and ran by one administration. The first Integrated government school was Buick Panging Government High School, which managed to bring together the English and Chinese streams under one roof. Also, measures were taken to place the different language streams on equal footing, for example, by Introducing common examinations.Before the scheme was Introduced, there was no universal education for children of all races and background, resulting In lesser children attending schools then. However, with the scheme introduced, children of all races and backgrounds can grow and learn together in harmony, without any form of biasness. The national pledge recited in school daily by both teachers and students is also another way of fostering the same national identity.It is stated in the pledge that ‘we, the citizens of Singapore, pledge ourselves as one united people, regardless of race, language or religion'. This is said at the beginning of the pledge, emphasizing its importance. The pledge would have been explained by teachers when students first entered primary school and with the constant recitation of the pledge, it is inevitable for the pledge to be deeply engraved in our minds, and the pledge, in our hearts, reciting it every morning, inanely pledging to abide by it.In Singapore, moral and national education is taught to students throughout the whole of their primary school and secondary school lives. According to the revised Moral a nd National Education Curriculum Guide published in June 2012, one of the aims stated for the subject is to develop a recognition of identity. On 13 October 2010, Chief Executive Donald Tsars stated in the â€Å"Policy Address 2010-2011 † that moral and national education would replace the current moral and civic education in order to ‘strengthen national education'.This shows how national identity is a big part of education and that the government Is constantly trying to further improve the lessons, In order to Include more national education related topics, to Inculcate a positive national identity In the students from a young age. National Identity By Toxin identity of Singapore would be the multiracial society we have and still being able to introduced in bid to bring together students from the different language streams. One such scheme was the integrated schools, whereby schools from difference administration.The first integrated government school was Buick Pangin g streams on equal footing, for example, by introducing common examinations. Before the scheme was introduced, there was no universal education for children of all races and background, resulting in lesser children attending schools then. However, shows how national identity is a big part of education and that the government is constantly trying to further improve the lessons, in order to include more national education related topics, to inculcate a positive national identity in the students from National Identity India is a democratic country after it gained its   independence in 1947 from British who ruled India for nearly two centuries.     India is popularly known as a Hindu nation which has various Gods and Goddesses for praise and worship and celebrates quite a number of religious festivals every year which carries different cultures and traditions for practicing rituals.   India practices caste, creed and religion system   and multi-regional language system where each State which are totally 29 in number, carry a unique and distinct language which is spoken only by local resident people of that State and there are only 5 percent people in India who speak English. India is the second most popular country in the world which has a population of 1.1 billion people as per the records of 2007. India’s economy is 12th largest in the world   and its government is headed by Prime Minister and cabinet ministers who form economic policies of the government. There are democratic parties in India under various leaderships which campaign for votes every five years for winning the term elections. Official view For whichever party gets majority of votes in an election comes into the leadership to form National Government for a term of five years.   India has a Constitutional Law and Judicial Law apart from Administrative Laws and Economic Laws and Policies. India’s national identity is its national flag   in tri- colours viz., saffron indicates   courage, sacrifice, the white indicates   purity and truth, green indicates   faith and fertility and in the midst of the flag there is a wheel in navy blue color which is termed as Dharma Chakra indicating the wheel of law which has 24 spikes in it. The national flag of India is a symbol of freedom for all people in India. The flag is hoisted each year by the Prime Minister of India on 15th August as a mark of national Independence Day. India has many ancient forts and palaces that are built by dynasties of various kings   and it is a proud place to carry one of the wonders of the world The Taj Mahal in the city of Agra which is a marble monument built by a king called Shahjahan.   There is also Red fort in the city of Agra, Palace of a king in the city of Mysore,   The Charminar in Hyderabad, and there many tourist places. There are many industries, corporate houses and five star restaurants and resorts homes which are contributing to the GDP growth and development of nation which is around 7-8 percent per annum.   India is an agricultural based country and in many parts of the country the yielded crop is lost due to either heavy rains, floods which is why there is a short supply of essential grains, pulses   and vegetables and Government in order to meet the needs of consumers, imports wheat, sugar and oil from outside of India. There is still below poverty line in India even after 60 years of independence and country continues build its public infrastructure and telecommunication systems. The national identity changes in each country, traditions, and how to maintain the idea – and What has globalization done to it? India has many problems within its political and economic system due to which the economic growth is not on the rapid rise. Indian currency rupee faces lot of inflation giving price rise in essential commodities which affect the common public who are mostly middle class which is a vast percentage in India. Luxury class is very small percentage and it is the middle class and poor people whose life styles are affected due political and economical imbalances.  Ã‚   The stability in national government is always a doubting factor for people each time elections are made as the opposition parties raise a voice in Parliament questioning each and every mode of development which makes it very difficult for ruling government. India has a unique national identity of Hinduism as a religion and secondly country’s largest democracy with 1.1 billion population, there are problems in drinking water, supply of electricity,   unsafe roads and lack of education for many people who reside in rural areas. Globalisation has enabled India to be recognized as a blue-chip place for computer technology as there are many software and hardware engineers, commencement of new and existing blue chip companies in the field of software and hardware technology and this has encouraged foreign nations to supply computers and accessories apart from Internet broadband. Further sales in mobiles, digital cameras, advanced facility telephones, televisions, VCDs and other electronic goods have become the status symbol and almost everyone has an electronic gadget whether it is a mobile or a camera which is the latest trend in India. Bollywood movies and film   stars are a heartthrob for overseas Indians. How are the nations responding towards the idea of National Identity Many foreigners visit India to take note of what is so special about India and after a travel, tourists find   food in India is good and available at a low price, Indians demonstrate a friendly gesture to foreigners although mannerisms and etiquette are not at par with that of foreign standards, it holds good for a temporary visit to India.   Many Hollywood celebrities visited India viz., Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Pierce Brosnan, Johny Depp, Nicole Kidman   and Will Smith apart from President Bush and Laura Bush who visited India in the year 2005 and India and U.S. have entered into a Nuclear Deal Agreement to supply nuclear fuel which is yet to be approved by Senate of U.S. India has an active stock market and Reserve Bank policies which give rise to sensex in stock exchanges. India has many industries in apparel, chemical, ready-to-eat food companies, FMCG, precious metals, five star, three star   hotels and many software based corporates while many still many being commenced apart from real estate sector   construction of small, medium and luxury homes. References Brian Stanley, Alaine M. Low, Missions, Nationalism, and the End of Empire Accessed May 2, 2008 http://books.google.co.in/books?id=2NCvZWNkQxkC&pg=PA111&lpg=PA111&dq=India+national+identity&source=web&ots=wZtvqnAX_1&sig=LaOEbfdG84LZuMgZBucB6juz50c&hl=en India and Globalisation Accessed May 2, 2008 http://www.bimaljalan.com/speech150102.html   

Shogatsu - Japanese New Year

Although Shogatsu means January, it is celebrated for the first 3 days or the first week of January. These days are considered the most important holidays for the Japanese. One could equate it with the celebration of Christmas in the west. During this time, businesses and schools close for one to two weeks. It is also a time for people to return to their families, which leads to the inevitable backlog of travelers. The Japanese decorate their houses, but before the decorations start to be put up, a general house cleaning is done. The most common New Years decorations are pine and bamboo, sacred straw festoons, and oval-shaped rice cakes. On New Years eve, bells (joya no kane) are rung at the local temples to speed out the old year. The New Year is welcomed in by the eating of year-crossing noodles (toshikoshi-soba). Casual western style clothing is replaced with kimono on New Years day as people go for their first temple or shrine visit of the New Year (hatsumoude). At the temples, they pray for health and happiness in the coming year. The reading New Years cards (nengajou) and the giving of gifts (otoshidama) to young children are also a part of the New Year celebrations. Food, of course, is also a big part of Japanese New Years celebrations. Osechi-ryori are special dishes eaten on the first three days of the New Year. Grilled and vinegary dishes are served in multi-layered lacquered boxes (juubako). The dishes are designed to be pleasant to look at and keep for days so that the mother is free from having to cook for three days. There are some regional differences but the osechi dishes are basically the same nationwide. Each of the food types in the boxes represents a wish for the future. Sea Bream (tai) is auspicious (medetai). Herring roe (kazunoko) is the prosperity of ones descendants. Sea tangle roll (kobumaki) is Happiness (yorokobu). Related How to Say Happy New Year in Japanese