(The following is a translation of the e-mail which was sent to Japanese customers.)

This is Kanako Yoshida from YOU YOU ANG.

How are you doing?

I would like to wish you a Happy New Year, even though it is a little late.

Thank you very much for all your support last year.

I look forward to working with you again this year.

Over the New Year, I would have liked to go climbing for about 10 days, but I only had 3 days of activities. (Day 1: Mt. Haruna trail run, Day 2: Tanigawa foothills snowshoeing, Day 3: Hodaigi skiing).

From the end of the year, I did the chores at my mother's house (cleaning it, buying a lot of groceries, preparing New Year's dishes, cleaning the grave, New Year's decorations, preparing sukiyaki at my brother's request), went to the first shrine visit of the year with my family so that my mother could walk, and jogged in between housework. It was a life that was not much different from usual.

It was my first time to go snowshoeing at the foot of Mt. Tanigawa. The timing was just right and there was more snow than I expected, so the peaceful snowshoeing turned into a lesson of snow-clearing (making your way through deep snow stepping on the snow to make a path). (lol)

It was a really fun. This time I rented snowshoes, but I thought about buying them. However, I haven’t decided yet as it would add more equipment.

On the January 4th, I went to "Hitokotonushi Shrine" in Ibaraki, where I get a company charm every year.

It's always crowded like a nostalgic festival, and the atmosphere is great. It's a "heartwarming shrine" that makes you feel like you've traveled back in time. After receiving a prayer, I headed home with renewed determination to do my best this year!

On the last day, I went to see "Noh", which has become my life's work. Since it was New Year, the performance began with "Okina". There is no story in this, and as the saying goes, "Noh but not Noh", it is a special piece. Okina is considered a sacred ritual, and the performers become gods and perform a dance to pray for peace throughout the world. Watching the silent stage, I felt a sense of solemn but auspicious, and exhilaration. The kyogen performance was also interesting, and the final performance, "Futari Shizuka," featured the clear voice of a female Noh performer.

Why am I so attracted to Noh?

I haven't found the answer yet, but I'm sure it will become clear in time.

A week has passed since the start of 2025. I wish you all a very happy new year.