Japanese Tradition: How to Spend New Year’s Holiday!

| Japanese | Posted by Kayo on Dec.18.2017

Year-End Cleaning

To welcome the God, Toshigami-sama, we clean everything. Toshigami-sama is not just one. It’s thought that the god resides in everything including mountains, rivers, the weather… and more! When the sun rises on the first day of the year, the god comes down to protect the humankind. When the cleaning ends, we set New Year’s decorations. Kadomatsu is a mark made with bamboo, so that the God can come to the house without getting lost. Shimenawa is a rope decoration made to keep the God home. Kagami mochi is a place for the God to stay because it used to be said that God stays inside mirrors (kagami). When you are done with decorations, you still have something left to do!

PhotoAC Kadomatsu

PhotoAC Shimenawa

Nengajou

You need to prepare new year’s card to thank those you’ve been working with or friends with during the year. Although this tradition is fading little by little due to the development of social medias, it’s still a very nice way of saying “thank you and happy new year!”. Usually, the card includes a picture of Oriental Zodiac which is dog for 2018. After sending the cards out, you can finally chill.

PhotoAC Example of a New Year card

TV Programs for End of the Year

Usually people watch TV and chill at kotatsu if they have one. One of the popular TV programs is “Kouhaku Utagassen” (Red and White Singing Festival). The singers, bands, idol groups are divided into red and white teams, and the audience vote for their favorite team. Another popular TV program is “Downtown no Gaki no Tsukai ya Arahen de” abbreviated as GakiTsuka. In this show, the comedians must not laugh. If they do, they will be punished. Thy have to overcome the missions without laughing. These two programs are broadcast on NYE. Now, it’s time for the countdown.

Downtown Gaki no Tsukai ya Arahen de Official Website

http://www.ntv.co.jp/gaki/special_2017/index.html

Kouhaku Utagassen 2017 Official Website

http://www.nhk.or.jp/kouhaku/

Toshikoshi Soba

It is Buckwheat noodles we eat to pass the year. Japanese started eating toshikoshi soba from Edo era to cut off bad fortunes from the year because soba is easily cut, and because soba is long and thin, people wished for longer lives by eating it. As we eat, we welcome the new year with the sound of the bell rung at temples. It is said that humankind have 108 polluting thoughts, so the bell is rung 108 times to exorcise them.

PhotoAC

Otoshi Dama

The fun new year begins with new year’s money (Otoshi Dama) for children given by their parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. Not a nice tradition for adults, but something exciting other than otoshi dama is there too! We eat Ozoni, a Japanese traditional new year’s soup. Inside there is mochi which brings good fortunes.

Pakutaso

Hatsumoude

After having the feast, we visit the shrine or temple to greet the God. Usually, at a shrine, you greet and wish for a great year while at a temple, you greet and thank the God for your life. There are so many people visiting during this time of the year, so it’s like a festival!