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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
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