- Preparing for the New Year in Japan
- How do the Japanese decorate houses for the New Year
- Festive table
- Gifts in Japan for the New Year
New Year in Japan is usually called "O-shogatsu", and the holiday itself plays a significant role in the life of the country's society. The state recognized the New Year as the same important celebration as the Day of the founding of the state, as well as the birthday of the Emperor. Until 1973, the holiday was celebrated in accordance with the lunar calendar. However, after the events of the Meiji period, the celebration date changed from December 29 to January 4.
Preparing for the New Year in Japan
People in Japan start preparing for the holiday long before it starts. So, already at the beginning of December, fairs open on the streets of almost all cities, the scale of which is amazing. The main goal of the fairs is to sell a variety of souvenirs, gifts and festive household items.
As for the house, the Japanese have a particularly reverent attitude to its decoration. Preparing a home for the New Year includes:
- thorough cleaning of all rooms;
- throwing away old things and clothes;
- airing of all rooms;
- decoration of the apartment.
The inhabitants of Japan approach the last point with all scrupulousness, since every detail in the house during the celebration of O-shogatsu has a symbolic meaning.
How the Japanese decorate houses for the New Year
An alternative to the Russian Christmas tree in the Land of the Rising Sun is Kadomatsu, which is a decorative composition of pine branches and bamboo. Some Japanese people complement this peculiar design with fern leaves, tangerines and dates. Instead of kadomatsu in houses, you can see shimenawa - a rope made from rice straw in an ancient way. This symbol of the New Year is also decorated with fern leaves and tangerines. The ritual meaning of Kadomats and Simenava is to bring joy, well-being and happiness to the residents of the house for the entire next year.
Inside the apartments, the Japanese everywhere place miniature trees called motibana. The branches are decorated with flowers, sweets and small balls made from a mixture of sticky cooked rice and flour. Each ball is pre-colored in blue, pink, white and yellow.
The motibana is placed either in the center of the room or suspended from the ceiling. The Japanese firmly believe that the main deity of the holiday, named Toshigama, upon seeing the jewelry, bestows health on all family members.
An interesting fact is that at the end of the New Year, every Japanese must remove as many rice balls from the motibana as they are old and eat them. Such a custom brings strength and spiritual harmony to a person.
Festive table
Compilation of the New Year's menu in Japan is considered a separate ritual and a lot of time is devoted to this process. Each dish has a sacred meaning and is prepared with special love. People usually sit at the table on the evening of December 31, and the meal itself is called omisoka. The menu is based on:
- juubako (fresh vegetables combined with boiled fish and eggs);
- kazunoko (soup with soy sauce and salted herring roe);
- kuromame (sweet, boiled black soybeans);
- o-toso (a special drink infused with sake);
- kombu (boiled seaweed);
- kurikinton (mashed boiled chestnuts with spices);
- mochi (unleavened cake made from rice flour).
All this abundance of cold food is neatly laid out in separate containers covered with glossy varnish. Each of the elements of the gala dinner carries a deep meaning. Those who have eaten juubako will have peace of mind next year. Kazunoko symbolizes family happiness and healthy children, kuromate symbolizes longevity, and mochi symbolizes wealth.
The meal begins with the acceptance of the ceremonial drink o-toso, which is prepared in advance according to the old technology. According to the philosophical system of the Japanese worldview, o-toso has life-giving power and restores the internal balance of the body.
Gifts in Japan for the New Year
Gifts (oseibo) are an integral part of the O-shogatsu celebration. Presentations are purchased at all kinds of fairs and sales. The younger generation mainly gives each other cosmetics, products or a small amount of money.
If we talk about traditional gifts, then in this case figurines, talismans, amulets and souvenirs that carry a semantic load take pride of place.
The obligatory gift is Hamimi, who outwardly looks like an arrow with white plumage. Such an attribute keeps the home from evil forces and diseases. Also, the Japanese necessarily present Takarabune - figures in the form of boats, on which are placed seven gods responsible for family happiness.
Daruma doll is able to fulfill cherished desires. Daruma is made from paper or wood. The peculiarity of the doll is that two white eyes are drawn on its face. The owner of the daruma must make a wish and depict one eye with his own hand. If the plan is fulfilled a year later, the Japanese draw the second eye. The doll is placed in the most prominent place in order not to forget the desire.
Relatives are often presented with kumade, a bamboo talisman, for the New Year. The rich inhabitants of the Land of the Rising Sun buy as a gift hagoita - rackets for playing shuttlecock. Such a present is considered expensive and, in addition to it, they must be given a statuette of an animal whose year is coming. On one side, the Hagoita is decorated with photographs of famous actors from the popular Japanese Kabuki theater.
All people during the holiday period begin to send out massively greeting cards (nengajo) to their relatives and friends. The Japanese honor this custom to this day, choosing cards for each person with love and care.
Since ancient times, it has not been customary in Japan to give flowers for the New Year's holiday. The tradition is associated with the fact that representatives of the Japanese dynasty never accept flowers from ordinary people.
New Year in Japan is quite interesting and filled with its own specific atmosphere. Thus, 108 strikes of a huge bell broadcast about parting with the old year and meeting a new one. The Japanese often meet the dawn of the new year in the mountains, clapping their hands loudly and thus invoking good luck.
