For Christmas I received a Washi Calendar from my son who is currently living in a remote village in the mountains of Japan. On the first day of every month I reveal a new page of the calendar with the sadness of not knowing when or if I’ll ever see my son again. The world has gotten that shaky.
Despite all the evil in the world, we’ve managed to reach the eighth month of 2025. In the US there are no official holidays during this month. In Japan there’s only one: The 11th or Mountain Day.
Apparently there are no official celebrations of Mountain Day, much the same as last month’s Marine Day , but everyone is encouraged to take the day off to celebrate their favorite or closest mountain. (Japan is 80% mountain so it’s not that hard!)
My memories of this last month of summer, before life gets back to the normal grind of work or school, are of uneasy transitions. I would barely get settled in to a new routine when all too suddenly came the holidays! Yippee! More expectations, more preparations, more stress!
But, in Japan the symbol for this month is the pink lotus, the flower that arises from murky water and thus represents enlightenment, purity and spiritual awakening. Perhaps … I’ve been thinking about this month all wrong! Perhaps … I should hightail it to the nearest mountain and seek some of that enlightenment.
Or perhaps I’m more like the grass.
Saying nothing in particular 
A lovely calendar and what sounds like a lovely holiday.
I think so!
Love the quote! I’m sorry that your son is so far away; that would be very difficult. For me, my late parents’ anniversary is the 7th, my birthday the 12th and my late husband’s the 14th. It was always a busy month celebrating and getting ready for school to start. Now it’s much quieter.
My brother’s birthday is the tenth! My son is very happy and that’s all that really matters.
Funny, I was just writing someone about the mountains and how people don’t really understand mountains, most anyway. Duke
I’m not sure I understand the mountains except to know that they are unpredictable. I never trust a peaceful looking mountain.
We all need to celebrate a Mountain Day. The world might be a better place if we did.
I agree but try telling them to the idiots running my country!
Um, yes. Ours aren’t a huge load better, unfortunately.
A beautiful calendar..
you will see you son 💜💜
I hope so but it’s good to know he’s found his happy place.
yedbwe have to let them go 💜
I really like this exquisite calendar, Jan, and I hope it brings you some peace in these turbulent times.
Thank you Jet. Like you, nature brings me some peace.
Sorry to hear about the distance with your son. Parents have to accept the cost of their children’s happiness. (And go visit as often as can be…)
Om mani padme Hum
Hi Jan, Japan is quite far from the USA but I’m sure your son will visit you. The lotus flower is pretty. I ate lotus root when I was in Japan last year.
I think I’d rather visit him – this country has gone cuckoo!
That’s a great idea
Lotus, grass – both are good and beautiful. Okay, the Lotus is outstanding.
This calendar has been wonderful, Jan. Thank you for each new month!
It’s my pleasure! I can’t believe another month is coming up so soon!
Oh no! Darn those months 😱… time is relentless!
Thanks Jan!
I ahve enjoyed following along withsome of the calendar posts! Learn a little bit about Japanese culture – and you – and also get a little bit of inspiration (even amidst the looming stress in the world – sigh)
The calendar posts are a great idea. I love the August illustration but I can’t help being nosy and wondering why you might never see your son again, and why he’s in a remote village in Japan? Maybe you can make that visit… xx
Thanks Restless. He and his wife don’t have much faith in the current state of affairs in the US and so I doubt they will return. I’ll try to get over there … we’ll see.
Soooo when are you visiting him?
Hopefully March.
Yeah? Cool!!!