How Japan celebrates New Year: 8 interesting facts

New Year or Oshogatsu is one of the most important holidays for the Japanese. At this time, even inveterate workaholics (and they are the majority in Japan) leave all their affairs to reunite with their families and pay tribute to those New Year’s customs that have been laid here for years.

The official New Year holidays in Japan begin on December 28 and continue until January 4. If you are lucky enough to come to Tokyo at this time, you will surely be disappointed. On holidays, the life of the metropolis freezes.

Many people are leaving for their hometowns, and even the shops are closed. What can we say about restaurants and entertainment venues, traditional companions of the modern New Year’s culture of many Europeans.

1.New year – new life

New Year’s Eve is called omisoka in Japanese. This is the time of the big cleaning – soboji, in which the whole family takes part. Getting rid of the old to make room for the new is very Japanese.

Old grievances, damaged or unused things, even old photographs, which a Russian person would not raise his hand to throw away, are all taken out of the house at this time. Some things are left for special New Year’s sales. It seems like he cleared the place and earned money – the practicality of the Japanese is manifested in everything.

2. Instead of a festive tree

Lush spruces and fluffy firs, decorated with balls and lots of festive lights, are a European tradition. In Japan, the familiar symbols of the New Year are replaced by kadomatsu – decorations made of pine, bamboo and plum, symbolizing longevity, prosperity and strength.

They are placed in front of the doors of houses and in office buildings a few days before the New Year and are removed immediately after January 7th. It is believed that kadomatsu is the temporary residence of the deity Toshigami-sama. By inviting him, families provide themselves with a generous harvest for the whole year and the blessing of their ancestors.

3. To the New Year’s table

On New Year’s holidays, the Japanese cannot be found at the stove. Firstly, they honor the tradition that in the first three days of January it is forbidden to use fire for cooking. Secondly, all shops are closed. Therefore, dishes for the New Year’s table and for several days ahead are prepared ahead of time.

Not a single farewell to the old year passes without toshikoshi soba, unsightly-looking noodles. On the Japanese New Year’s table, she is a symbol of longevity and easy life. And the Japanese also believe that by eating this not the most appetizing dish, they get rid of all the failures of the old year.

And on the New Year’s table, the dominant place is occupied by osechi-reri. This is a set of seafood and vegetables that are eaten at the very beginning of the New Year. Osechi-reri is served in a beautiful box of jubakao, which is placed in the center of the table.

And this is not just a dish, but a set of wishes. Each osechi-reri ingredient has a meaning that any Japanese can decipher.

For example, renkon lotus root promises a happy year without obstacles. Kuromame black beans are served if they want stability at work. Japanese lacedra – for promotion. Herring caviar is eaten by those who dream of a big family. Shrimp will appeal to those who want to live a long and happy life. And the bright yellow color of kuri-kinton, a mix of candied chestnut and mashed potatoes, symbolizes wealth.

Osechi-reri is eaten with special ivan-bashi sticks, sharp at both ends. It is believed that the other side is used by a deity who will guide you throughout the year.

4. When the clock strikes twelve

If in Russia the chiming of the chimes sounds the first minute of the new year, in Japan the bell ringing does not subside for two hours. This is one of the most important rituals for Buddhist temples throughout Japan, called joya no kane. The beginning of the new year is marked by 108 bell strikes. And not by chance.

In Buddhism, it is believed that human beings suffer from 108 types of earthly desires and feelings, called Bonno. These include anger, attachment and envy. Each strike of the bell removes one disturbing Bonnot from you.

Literally translated, joya-no-kene means “the night when you can discard the old and move on to the new.” The perfect time to leave the old “I” and start the new year with new decisions and a clear head. It is believed that with the 108th bell, nothing will bother your mind.

5.Happy ganjitsu

The first day of the new year in Japan is called ganjitsu. And this is a very busy day for all Japanese families. After breakfast (osechi-reri) with all the relatives, the Japanese first go to the temple. They all pray together for good luck in the new year.

This ritual is very interesting. Here’s what to do: first throw some coins into the box in front of the altar, then ring the bell using a rope hanging from it, bow twice, clap your hands twice in front of your chest, and finally bow again. Now luck will not turn away from you. And only then you can go for gifts …

6.Pig in a bag

A favorite tradition of the Japanese is fukubukuro, special bags with random goods that are displayed in many stores. The price for them is fixed, but the content is a surprise for the buyer.

In the “happy bag” you can find anything. Often the cost of contents exceeds the price of fukubukuro by almost half. Not surprisingly, there is a huge line at the doors of stores where they are sold, a few hours before opening.

7. Oji-san, where are the gifts?

An analogue of the American Santa Claus in Japan appeared relatively recently. Dressed in a red sheepskin coat, like his overseas counterpart, Oji-san brings gifts to the kids on the night of January 1. However, if the New Year’s magician for some reason did not have time to look, Japanese children are not particularly upset. After all, the oldest tradition of otoshidama is honored to this day.

On New Year’s Eve, boys and girls receive small envelopes with money from their parents, grandparents, and all their immediate family members. On average, they give 5000 yen each (about 3500 rubles). So from all the sum is typed solid. The child can dispose of it as he wants.

8. Strictly on schedule

In Japan, only postmen work on January 1st. They deliver nengadze, a special type of postcard that the Japanese send to their friends and acquaintances as a welcome to the new year. This custom is very similar to the Western tradition of sending Christmas cards.

The only difference is that in addition to warm words and wishes, the addressee receives a unique lottery number, which is on all Nengadze postcards. The lucky ones are waiting for various gifts – from travel tickets to useful gadgets.