Bell Ringing on New Year's Eve

Kai's name with the 2100-lb., sixteenth-century Japanese bronze bell originally from a temple in Tajima Province in Japan.

Yesterday we drove real early to San Francisco for a new year's eve bell ringing ceremony called Jyoya no Kane at the Asian Art Museum. We've decided to change our yearly firework viewing to a more subdued and traditional ceremony.

In Japan, the last day of the year is spent preparing the traditional New Year’s meal (Osechi Ryouri) and cleaning the entire house (Osouji). Then people visit a Buddhist temple to ring an ancient bronze bell for 108 times to announce the passing of the old year. The number 108 are the bonno (mortal desires) which, according to Buddhist belief, torment humankind. It is hoped that with each reverberation the bad experiences, wrong deeds, and ill luck of the past year will be wiped away, opening a path for peace and joy to come into one's life.

Who wouldn't want peace and joy after a terrible year of loss and grief? I know we would. So we braved the cold weather and early morning commute to participate in the event.

Fog in Highway 280. Barely saw anything in front of us. How could we lookout for cop cars in this dense fog?! Heh.

The Asian Art Museum. The hubby and I waited in line for its doors to open. SF City Hall is just across the street. Can't resist taking a picture of Kai's name even if it was hella cold out there.

Inside the museum with a lot of people already seated and waiting. A Buddhist monk preparing for the ceremony. Of course, Kai's name makes an appearance. "I carry him in my heart at all times."

Finally, our turn to ring the bell. As it gently reverberated, I believe Kai was there, too, ringing the bell with us.

2010 may be the year you were born and died, my son, but it doesn't mean you'll be left behind. We will carry you with us every new year in this life until the time we can finally be together. For in the love we have for you, death shall have no dominion.