Oh, tannenbaum!

The custom of the Christmas tree dates back to two pagan traditions, one Norse, the other Roman. Both cultures thought of the tree as a symbol of everlasting life, even through the darkest days of the winter night. Here in Japan, there are lit trees everywhere.
On Friday, my Japanese freind and I went to an outdoor festival with a big tree:




This tree is in an underground mall in the Namba region of Osaka.



As I looked at the tree Friday, it blinked in and out with its lights in the chilly air, and, for a moment, with the cheer of the gluewine in me, I could imagine I was back home
More photos later.