More fireworks, although this one was taken in July of 2004 instead of on New Years (the short sleeves probably give that away). Although he didn't do it on purpose (I think), my son "spelled" out the number 9 - very neat. Speaking of New Years, in Hawaii, New Years eve was marked by the crack of thousands of fireworks being set off simultaneously. People's driveways were literally covered in red paper from the fireworks, a symbol of good luck for the new year, I'm told. In Japan, people would crowd the nation's shrines, and at midnight, the entire country was greeted by the sound of "Joya no kane" or the midnight tolling of temple bells. The tsuri-gane, or temple bells, are solemnly tolled 108 times to dispense with the 108 sins of man. I vividly remember making sure I stayed up until the first bell tolled - I don't think I ever made it for all 108, but my cousins would visit Hachimangu shrine and not return until early in the morning. I'm assuming they heard all 108 tolls of the bells.