There's something about the Japanese new year that saps all the energy out of a woman and plunges her into despair. It's little wonder that many a working girl returns to the office after the holidays, heaves a sigh of relief and mutters "shigoto shiteta hoga mashi dawa (it's easier to work)" before heading out for her morning cigarette and coffee.
Indeed, there's nothing like kisei (a homecoming visit) to bring out that lovin' feeling for work and its related paraphernalia (free paper clips and the welcome hush surrounding the vending machine). Going home to the bosom of one's family is fine, but as my cousin Emi always points out: "Ichinichi de iiyo (one day is enough)."
Emi is smart and pretty and knows how to protect herself. Over the years she has learned to divide her holidays between gimu (obligation), which means going up north to our grandparents' house in Sendai, and tanoshimi (enjoyment), which consists of trips to Guam or Honolulu with friends.