“Kodo Village Dondo-yaki” by Mariko Omi

We had our village “Dondo-yaki” today, which we always have on the fifteenth day of the first month in the lunisolar year, January. “Dondo-yaki” is a New Year’s bonfire when we burn New Year’s decorations.

In the early evening we started to gather around, we sang a “Dondo-yaki” song, and set the fire alight.

At Kodo Village, we also burn the broken drumsticks we used lovingly throughout the past year and send our appreciation to the skies with them as the smoke floats up.

Surprised at times by the popping sound of burning bamboo and jumping sparks, we surround the fire roasting and eating dried cuttlefish, mochi, mandarin oranges and sweet potatoes.

The penetrating cold air & the warmth of the fire
The slight burnt taste of the roasted mochi
Looking up to see the moon…
I’m always in the rehearsal hall at this time of night, so it was nice to be outside and have my five senses stimulated by nature.