私は一年の行事はきちんとこなすほうでした。。。
が、今年は七草粥は作らず、鏡開きもしていません。
鏡開きは元々は１月２０日に行われていたそうで、徳川家光が亡くなったのが
二十日（慶安四年四月）であったため１月１１日に変更されたらしいので
（今でも１月２０日に行う地方があるほか、京都では１月４日に行われるとのこと。）
（今でも１月２０日に行う地方があるほか、京都では１月４日に行われるとのこと。）
この際２０日まで飾っておくことにしました。
どうせパックですし。。。
On January 11, we have the custom of cutting and eating a large, round rice cake,
which had been offered to the gods at New Year's.
By the way, do you know why it is called “Kagamibiraki(鏡開き)” ??
The words "cut(切る)" was disliked in samurai society as it was ＊evocative
of “Seppuku(切腹)” .
As for the word “break(割る)” , it is not suitable on this happy occasion.
So we use the word “open（開く)” wishing our good luck to be opened.
In the old days every home used to pound steamed rice into rice cakes.
However now we can easily buy a ready made “Kagamimochi(鏡餅)” packed with
several rice cakes at a nearby supermarket.
So, It has become customary to cut open this type of “Kagamimochi(鏡餅)”
instead of cutting the old way.
I think it’s very convenient but we should not forget about the traditional meaning.
I usually eat it with a sweet adzuki (red-bean) soup on January 11 every year.
But, I have forgotten to eat it this year and it still on offer to the gods…
* evocative : 呼び起こす, 喚起する,〈of ..〔思い出, 感情など〕を〉
a place ～ of one's childhood