Celebrations begin when everybody flees the city to visit family and friends in the countryside. New Year or Shogatsu is a time for families to come together and celebrate all things Japanese. In western countries, celebrating New Year consists of big parties and firework displays, however in Japan, there are less fireworks and more family traditions including games, meals and gift giving.
Japanese New Year Celebrations
Traditional Decoration
As with many holidays, New Year comes with its own decoration for the home this is known as Okazari. To ward off evil spirits, straw rope is hung in front of the entrances to the home, this is also thought to bring good fortune. For those that believe in
Shinto, their homes are decorated with bamboo and green plants. Bamboo signifies honesty and green plants signify new life.
New Years Eve
New Years Eve or Ōmisoka in Japanese is a big family event including games, TV shows and religious traditions. Celebrations begin early in the day with lots of family activities taking place and ending the day with a popular Japanese TV show on the sofa.
Games
Whereas in England, a traditional family game would consist of Scrabble or Cluedo, in Japan, some of the games are a little different, here’s a list of the most common New Year’s Eve games which are played:
- Takoage – Kite Flying
- Fukuwari – Similar to pin the tail on the donkey but with a face, players are blindfolded and must place eyes, nose and mouth on the face
- Sugoroku – Board games
- Honetsuki – Japanese Badminton
- Karuta – Card Games
- Koma – Spinning Tops
TV Shows
There is a popular TV show called Kohaku Uta Gassan literally translated as Red and White Song Battle where music artists perform. Unlike reality music shows, these artists have been hand-picked by the organisers to perform and it is seen as a highlight in their careers. The Japanese artists who perform are usually the most popular of the year. The show is a battle of the sexes with male solo and group artists on the white team and female solo and group artists on the red team. The programmed is on for around 4 and a half hours and finishes half an hour before midnight.
Religion
Many people go to their shrines and temples at midnight on New Year’s Eve to pray. There are usually a couple of million visitors to the shrines and temples over this holiday and at some you will be waiting up to an hour in line waiting to get in. The most popular temples are usually the busiest where people are not just praying but also eating and socialising with others. At midnight, the temple bel is rung a massive 108 times. In the Buddhist belief, there are 108 human sins hence the reason for so many rings. The bell is also rung to ward off evil spirits.
New Years Day
New Year’s Day or Gantan is a very busy day for the Japanese even though it is considered to be a day of rest. The day consists of a family meal, the first visit to the shrine or temple and also gift giving.
Family Meal
Each region of Japan has a different speciality dish for New Year’s but overall the meal is commonly known as Osechi Ryori. The dish is packed in a Jubako box which is similar to bento boxes, little containers with different dishes in each. Each ingredient or dish has its own meaning for the New Year. Here is a little list of a few ingredients which are commonly eaten on New Year:
- Kuromame (Black Soy Beans) – Good Health
- Kazunoko (Herring Roe) –Fertility
- Tazukuri (Dried Anchovies) – Bountiful Harvest
- Datemaki (Sweet Omelette mixed with Fish Paste or Shrimp) –Scholarship and Culture
- Kuri Kinton (Mashed Sweet Potatoes and Chestnuts) – Economic Fortune in the New Year
- Ebi (Shrimp) – Long Life
First Visit to the Shrine or Temple
The First Visit is known as Hatsumode and is extremely popular throughout the country. Here people discard of their
lucky charms from last year and purchase the ones for the new year. People visit the shrine or temple to pray for a successful new year. Many are often seen clapping twice and tossing money into a large wooden box which symbolises them praying for a prosperous new year. Fashion at the Hatsumode varies with people wearing
traditional Japanese kimonos to simply wearing jeans and a coat.
Gift Giving
Gift giving on New Year is different to Christmas Gift Giving as it only really applies to children. The tradition is known as Otoshidama. Parents and grandparents give money to the children and depending on their age, some often receive around £60 per relative.
The money is given in a decorated envelope known as
Shugi Bukuro. Originally there was no money given, but instead rice cakes as they symbolise Gods spirit. The amount given varies depending on the child’s age and when the child has grown up, they then give money to their children and so the tradition continues.
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