Holy Week at home and Japan's March Renkyuu

JAPAN — As our country goes on reflective mode for a solemn observation of the Holy Week soon, the end of March is considered as precious by the Japanese. With school on vacation, many schedule their trips and reunions at the end of March. Many families also visit their departed loved ones - they go on hakamairi ( grave visitation during this time). The end of March is viewed as the remaining period for rest, reunions, renewal before school and university work start again in April. March is also a graduation month here.

April in Japan heralds the start of many important events.

First, April confirms the start of a new season. Spring comes in April here, with flowers, especially the famous cherry blossoms, in full bloom. The end of March and the beginning of April marks the start of a new season, the end of the long, cold, snowy winter.

However, before spring unfolds her full bloom and more sunshine than winter, spring is heralded with the so-called haru ichiban (the first of spring). Very strong, harsh winds unexpectedly come - better not to be outdoors when these winds come and announce their presence! Posts are broken, posters blown away, some air and land travel delayed when the early winds of spring come. With strong pressure and velocity, you can understand why it is better to stay indoors during haru's ichiban!

We were, unfortunately, on the road when the early spring winds came. Every vehicle on the highway, which on an ordinary day, would normally run at 80 kph to 100 or more, was now cruising at lower speeds of about 60. One courted danger if one chose to go faster as the winds applied pressure on the vehicles from various directions. As if the winds were not enough, in other areas, strong rains came as well. As we passed through Tokyo and Yokohama, from Tsukuba, there were lightning and thunder as well.

Then, the heavens heard our prayers and grandly brought out the shining sun just when we reached our destination, Nagoya! The strong winds were still there but the sun shone , no more clouds, no more rains, no fog or thunder or lightning!

April also heralds the start of a new school year or of a new job for those who have just graduated. Memorable graduation takes place from mid-to end of March. The fresh graduates relish their remaining free days while anticipating the beginning of another phase of their live. Children who are 7 years old by April in Japan are welcomed as first grade students. Those fresh from high school who have successfully passed the university entrance examinations converge for their Opening ceremonies. The new employees of universities, offices and other organizations also have their formal welcome and orientation ceremonies in early April.

April is also the start of a new fiscal, a new budget year in Japan. Hence, it is usual to see so much projects that are rushed to be completed before the end of March, so that the allocated budget for the previous year can all be expended, to give way to new budget to be used for more infrastructure, more projects for the new fiscal year that starts in April.

Back home, our graduates and students have also just entered their period of long-awaited break and vacation. Reunions and visits will also be experienced from the Holy Week all the way to the summer months of April and May. Our people will also be experiencing spiritual renewal as Lent gives way to Easter, as all are reminded of the Lord's death and resurrection, to fulfill God's promise of moving His people, from slavery to salvation.

Despite distance and differences, people all throughout this world within Holy Week and late March to early April, are commonly experiencing change of seasons, change of heart, transitions with one life chapter moving on to another, periods of rest, reunion, and start of work and study, bidding goodbyes to old friends and saying hello to new acquaintances, new experiences, and new beginnings.

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