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Japanese New Year's Traditions

cristinadiac2009 — 2023-12-16 20:37:15 UTC

Kadomatsu

cristinadiac2009 — 2023-12-16 20:52:09 UTC

Kadomatsu is a traditional decoration meant to attract good spirits on the day of the New Year's. The purpose of this tradition is to honor the Gods, who will then bring a bountiful harvest for farmers. This decoration is made with bamboo and pine wood. Usually, people place them in pairs in front of houses and buildings. After January 15th, the kadomatsu are burned to appease and release the spirits.

Bell Ringing

cristinadiac2009 — 2023-12-16 21:20:39 UTC

At midnight on December 31st, all Buddhist Temples in Japan ring their bells a total of 108 times: 107 times on December 31st and 1 time past midnight, on January 1st. You may be asking: Why 108 times? Well, this number symbolizes the 108 earthly temptations in Buddhist belief and the 108 worldly desires regarding sense and feeling in every Japanese citizen that they get rid of through this tradition. A Japanese belief says that through bell ringing, you can wash away all the sins from the passing year. A major attraction is The Watched Night bell, in Tokyo.

Otoshidama

cristinadiac2009 — 2023-12-16 21:30:11 UTC

On the New Year's Day, the Japanese people have a tradition known as Otoshidama, where adult relatives give a sum of money to children in a small decorated envelope. The sum can vary based on the child's age, but usually in a family with more kids, the sum is the same for every child. The kids usually wait eagerly for this day because of this tradition.

Hatsushinode

cristinadiac2009 — 2023-12-16 21:38:04 UTC

Another New Year's tradition is Hatsushinode which consists of watching the first sunrise of the year. Many people aren't able to do it or just don't want to do it, but it's a nice tradition to observe the first sunrise of a fresh new year.

Mochi

cristinadiac2009 — 2023-12-16 21:50:11 UTC

Mochi is a traditional Japanese New Year's food. Mochi is a sweet sticky rice cake shaped like a dumpling. The New Year's tradition consists of making your own mochi from scratch. Mochi is made into a New Year's decoration called Kagami Mochi. This decoration is made of 2 mochi stacked one on top of another and a tangerine placed on top.

Nenga

cristinadiac2009 — 2023-12-16 21:56:37 UTC

Nenga are New Year's greetings sent to family and friends. This is a very popular tradition, so the post office does everything to ensure that all the Nenga are sent and can arrive on the New Year's Day.

Hatsumode

cristinadiac2009 — 2023-12-16 22:02:45 UTC

Hatsumode is the first shrine visit of the year, usually made during the first days of the New Year. During this time, the Buddhist Temples are very crowded but this won't change anyone's mind and won't stop them to come pray, make wishes and stock up on lucky charms.