I was happy to get a New Year card from mom. She just had another eye surgery and I was concerned about its result. Looking at her handwriting, it looks like she made it through ok. She's written this card in the typical Japanese New Year card fashion: the message is written on the front of the card and the back is reserved for the address. I loved the whimsical stamp she used of a tipsy musician. The Ikuta shrine is located just downhill from our house. She did get me an ema - a wooden prayer card to write one's wishes on.
