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| japanese new year's |
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Japan has adopted the solar calendar since 1873 and so, the New Year celebration
starts on January 1.
Omisoka
Omisoka is New Year’s Eve. People eat Toshikoshi-soba at night and stay up till
midnight to listen to the 108 chimes of a nearby temple bell. Toshikoshi-soba is a bowl of
hot brown noodles in broth. The noodle is a homophone for a word that means “being
close” and therefore signifies the approach of the New Year. The 108 chimes called Joya-
no-kane, rings out the old year and rings in the New Year. The tolls represent the leaving
behind of 108 bonno, or worldly concerns of the old year, which, according to Buddhist
belief, torment mankind. During this ceremony, each toll is struck after the reverberations
from the preceding toll have dissipated. The last peal of the bell is struck at midnight,
coinciding with the first few seconds of the New Year; thus a new beginning dawns,
enabling the start of a prosperous and joyous year.
Oshogatsu
Oshogatsu is the Japanese New Year which used to last several days; now it's been
pared down to just three. Oshogatsu is a time for peace and resolution. Japanese people
don't go to work on New Year's Day. They rest and celebrate the holiday with the family.
They go to temples to pray for a prosperous and healthy new year. The first visit to the
temple is called "Hatsu Mohde," which means the first visit.
On New Year's Day, the family starts the New Year with a "mochi" or rice cake breakfast.
The rice cake is served in a stew called "Ozoni." Rice pounding to make mochi rice
cakes is a popular new year activity. However, many modern Japanese families buy them
from supermarkets now.
Like other Asian New Year traditions, adults give children a New Year' Day gift called
"otoshi-dama" in the form of money placed in special little envelopes. Later, relatives and
close friends bring Otoshi-dama when they visit. The sum is larger than the usual
allowance and children are free to spend it as they wish. Children also play various
games to usher in the New Year.
There are many "good luck" charms associated with the New Year. Cranes and turtles
are symbols of longevity and happiness. Houses are decorated with origami cranes to
bring peace and happiness to the New Year.
Sending Nengajo, or New Year's cards, is a very popular custom especially for distant
friends and acquaintances. The cards are similar, perhaps, to Christmas cards in the
West except that they are usually in the form of postcards. The tradition of sending these
is very strong, and the mailmen make every effort to deliver all the cards on the morning of
New Year's Day itself.
starts on January 1.
Omisoka
Omisoka is New Year’s Eve. People eat Toshikoshi-soba at night and stay up till
midnight to listen to the 108 chimes of a nearby temple bell. Toshikoshi-soba is a bowl of
hot brown noodles in broth. The noodle is a homophone for a word that means “being
close” and therefore signifies the approach of the New Year. The 108 chimes called Joya-
no-kane, rings out the old year and rings in the New Year. The tolls represent the leaving
behind of 108 bonno, or worldly concerns of the old year, which, according to Buddhist
belief, torment mankind. During this ceremony, each toll is struck after the reverberations
from the preceding toll have dissipated. The last peal of the bell is struck at midnight,
coinciding with the first few seconds of the New Year; thus a new beginning dawns,
enabling the start of a prosperous and joyous year.
Oshogatsu
Oshogatsu is the Japanese New Year which used to last several days; now it's been
pared down to just three. Oshogatsu is a time for peace and resolution. Japanese people
don't go to work on New Year's Day. They rest and celebrate the holiday with the family.
They go to temples to pray for a prosperous and healthy new year. The first visit to the
temple is called "Hatsu Mohde," which means the first visit.
On New Year's Day, the family starts the New Year with a "mochi" or rice cake breakfast.
The rice cake is served in a stew called "Ozoni." Rice pounding to make mochi rice
cakes is a popular new year activity. However, many modern Japanese families buy them
from supermarkets now.
Like other Asian New Year traditions, adults give children a New Year' Day gift called
"otoshi-dama" in the form of money placed in special little envelopes. Later, relatives and
close friends bring Otoshi-dama when they visit. The sum is larger than the usual
allowance and children are free to spend it as they wish. Children also play various
games to usher in the New Year.
There are many "good luck" charms associated with the New Year. Cranes and turtles
are symbols of longevity and happiness. Houses are decorated with origami cranes to
bring peace and happiness to the New Year.
Sending Nengajo, or New Year's cards, is a very popular custom especially for distant
friends and acquaintances. The cards are similar, perhaps, to Christmas cards in the
West except that they are usually in the form of postcards. The tradition of sending these
is very strong, and the mailmen make every effort to deliver all the cards on the morning of
New Year's Day itself.