December is the month for bonenkai, the year-end parties Japanese hold in December that literally means “forget-the-year party.” (After the new year arrives, you switch to shinnenkai or “new year party.”) A tradition going back to the Kamakura Period (1185-1333), a bonenkai party is a good time to reflect on the events of the past year while eating good food and imbibing large amounts of alcohol, or oolong tea, if you prefer. During this time of year everyone is inundated with advertisements for beer companies promoting their products, hoping patrons will remember them while having their year-end get-togethers, and of course Ukon hangover-curing drinks do the same thing. Over the weekend I went down to Tokyo and had an enjoyable forget-the-year party with a friend from Italy and this lovely lady, and am now ready to say “so long” to 2012 and hello to 2013.
At the Ghibli Character Year End Party.
