Happy New Year, everyone. Did you have a pleasant holiday?
Even for those who do not have a particular interest in Japanese culture and history, most people can think of the variety of customs and traditions associated with Japan’s unique New Year’s celebration. These celebrations welcome the New Year (Toshitoku-jin, the God of the New Year) into Japanese homes and families. We purify our homes with thorough cleaning at the year’s end and prepare items such as Kagami-mochi (round rice cakes) and Shimenawa (sacred shrine rope). The entrances to our homes are also adorned with pine decorations called Kadomatsu, to welcome in the New Year.
After safely welcoming in the new year, we enjoy O-toso (New Year’s sake) to ward off evil spirits. Then, depending on the region, we enjoy various dishes with our families called O-sechi and O-zoni that carry good luck. Additionally, there are many other celebrated events such as Hatsumode, Otoshidama, Hatsuhinode, and Kakizome.
Now then, in what time is it appropriate to wish people a “Happy New Year” in Japan?
The timeframe where Toshitoku-jin is present is known as “Matsu no Uchi,” which encompasses the New Year’s celebration. In Kanto, this lasts until January 7th; in Kansai, until January 15th. However, for both regions, when the said date passes, everyone takes down their decorations and stops using the New Year’s greetings. Any types of greeting cards sent after these dates will formally become “Winter’s Greetings.”
Other Asian countries also have a wide variety of traditional New Year’s celebrations. Aside from Japan, China and Taiwan celebrate Chinese New Year, Korea celebrates Seol, and Vietnam celebrates Tet to honor the New Year of their respective lunar calendars. The lunar calendar has 24 seasons, and also has a celebration called Hatsuharu, which celebrates the beginning of Spring.
Source: Tokyo College of Sushi and Washoku: The College Headmaster’s One-Dish Course Series.
http:///www.sushi-tokyo.jp/blog-headmaster
Photo source: Tokyo College of Sushi and Washoku: The College Headmaster’s One-Dish Course Series.