Seasonal Preparations & Events at the Residence

Surrounded by mountains, Kyoto 's weather is quite harsh -hot and humid in the summer and frigidly cold in winter.
Members of the Sugimoto family carry on some of the traditions
that our predecessors used to make life more comfortable during the hard seasons.
Additionally, the Sugimoto Residence put up traditional decorations accordingly
to the seasons and events that come with them.
This adds flair to the daily resourcefulness that helps people pass Japan's distinctive seasons more comfortably.
Through the sound of the rustling wind or the warm glow of sunshine,
we feel the changes in the seasons.
As such, we can also enjoy certain visual pleasures,
which provide a sense of relief or help create a different
atmosphere through seasonal decorations or events.
The Sugimoto family continues these customary traditions by carrying out various activities throughout the year.

Spring

Spring comes to the Sugimoto family garden in the shape of camellia, daffodils, hyacinth and other lovely flowers. Early April brings the cherry blossoms in Kyoto and as such the Girls Day Festival (ohina-sama matsuri) dolls are brought out from the family storage (kura). As there are many, many dolls to be arranged in various rows and positions, it takes quite a bit of work to set them up, however this is an important spring event that cannot be neglected.

<April 3>	*Girls Day Festival (ohina-sama matsuri) : According to tradition in Kyoto and by the ancient Chinese calendar, Girls Day Festival is celebrated on March 3 (however by the current western calendar it is actually celebrated on April 3).
<May 5>	*Boys Day (tango-no-sekku): This festival is to pray for the safe maturing and health of young boys. It is celebrated by decorating the house with Boys Day dolls called "tango".

Summer	<June 1> In order to stay cool, winter doors are taken down and are replaced by sliding doors (fusuma) and shoji for the summer months. "Sudo" and "Sudare" (bamboo blinds) are two such items put out to allow the air to circulate better, in addition to netting called "Ajiro" which is put on top of tatami. Bamboo blinds (sudare) fulfill more than just practical use, since ancient times people felt that the sight of the blinds rustling in the summer breeze provided a cooling sensation.
	A view of the sitting room "Zashiki" from the middle salon (Naka-no-ma). Watching the clear thin silk blowing in the wind gives the view a cooling sensation.	A view of the side garden and the bamboo blinds from the "Hachijyo-no-ma" (literally meaning the "eight tatami salon").

<July 14-16>

*the Gion Festival: Every year for this festival the Sugimoto float "Hakugayama" is brought out and folding screens (Byoubu) are set up in the front of the store in the "Mise-no-ma" salon with other decorations. These decorations never fail to delight passers-by.

Shinto decorations for the float and other seasonal decorations fill the "Mise-no-ma".
On clear days townhouses put out decorations. The front entryway is thoroughly cleaned and various traditional decorations are put out for the festival. On the far right you can see the family float "Hakugayama".				"Hamo (a kind of eels) sushi", steamed eel, flavored, "dashi" (a traditional flavoring made from boiled kelp and bonito [fish] flakes) flavored eggs which is then carefully rolled and fried, small boiled eggplants, boiled potatoes and other traditional foods that are only served during the Gion Festival.
				"Hakugayama-no-chimaki" This is a tradition snack of the Sugimoto family served during the festival period.

<August 5>

*Foundation Day: This day commemorates the founding of the original Sugimoto Residence when it first opened as a clothier. Decorations are put out and memorial services are held to pay respect to Sugimoto ancestors.

Autumn	In September during the period of the Autumn solstice, the bamboo blinds and other summer items are taken down and replaced. In late October, braziers (hibachi) and other winter items are brought out, then in November the family gardens and all of Kyoto are awash with the gorgeous autumn leaves - the red, yellow and orange maple and ginko (ichou) leaves are truly a sight to behold.

Winter	"Shiwasu"(=the old name for month of December which means the month when even monks run around.) On December 13 preparations begin for the New Year season, one of the, if not the, most important holiday seasons in Japan. Kyoto's markets are brimming over with ingredients for traditional dishes. By the 28th everyone is rushing around to finish up last minute holiday details. A thorough house cleaning from top to bottom is one major activity as is decorating the house with traditional New Years decorations.
	<New Year Eve>	The family goes to "Yasaka Shrine" at midnight to pray and bring back hot burning logs to start a fire in the old family stove and cook the traditional New Years foods. It is said that using logs from the shrine helps ward off illness.
	<New Year Holiday (Jan.1-3)>	Special soup bowls with the family crest are used for the traditional dish "ozoni" eaten during this period. Black lacquered soup bowls with the family crest in vermilion-lacquered are used by men while women use soup bowls with silver family crests and the inside of the bowl is lacquered with vermilion. On the 4th, 7th and 15th other traditional events are held and celebrated.

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