There are quite a few Japanese superstitions. Some people believe in all of them; some people claim not to believe; many people say they don't believe, but still take part just in case they really do bring good luck. Here are a few associated with the new year celebrations.
Before New Year's Eve
You need a kagami mochi in your house. It has two mochi rice balls beneath a daidai (Japanese mandarin). The name means "mirror mochi". It has two levels of mochi to double your luck. Daidai roughly translates to "generation after generation", representing health and prosperity to your descendants.
Kadomatsu are made of pine and bamboo and are place in front of homes or shops to welcome Shinto gods. Kado means gate and matsu means pine. They are meant as temporary dwelling places for the gods. Later in January, they are burnt with the other new year decorations.
New Year's Eve (Omisoka)
The traditional new year's eve food is toshikoshi soba (year-crossing buckwheat noodles). The long noodles are said to represent longevity; biting the noodles symbolizes cutting the woes from the previous year; and the hardiness of the buckwheat plant represents resilience.
One of the most important rituals for Buddhist temples in Japan is Joya no Kane. Temples sound their bells at midnight on new year's eve 108 times to relieve listeners from the 108 types of bonnou - earthy desires and feelings, such as anger and jealousy, that plague humans. To start the year fresh, it is done on New Year's Eve.
New Year's Day (Ganjitsu)
Hatsuhinode - watch the first sunrise. This is a symbolic move to welsome the new year god. It is believed that the first prayer or wish of the new year will come true.
Fukubukuro or lucky bags are sold all over Japan at all kinds of shops. The tradition of filling bags with random goods at a discount is said to come from the Japanese proverb that says "There is fortune in leftovers". (Nokorimono ni wa fuku ga aru).
Best Wishes to You for a healthy, prosperous, and lucky New Year!
The lucky bags are practical, easy to get, and with a reasonable proverb behind them.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
Same to you. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you also Pamela. All the traditions are fascinating. My only traditions are to take down the Christmas tree before midnight NY's eve to start off the new year and not to put up any calendars before January 1st..
ReplyDeleteSo very interesting, Pam! I love learning about the culture in Japan. Thank you for sharing! Happy New Year! 🎆
ReplyDeleteDid you manage to get up to watch the sunrise this morning? That seems like a better tradition than staying up really late and getting drunk the night before.
ReplyDeleteHappy new year!
Very interesting, the sunrise is stunning.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a very Happy New Year
I love all of these -- especially the soba, of course! I'm not sure I'd make the sunrise, though maybe, since it's so late these days. Love the bags, love it all! Happy New Year, Pamela!
ReplyDeleteSome interesting be piece there, happy new year to you Pamela.
ReplyDeleteThose are all fun traditions! I wouldn't mind eating noodles on NYE. Did you do any Fukubukuro shopping? I hear you can get great stuff in them. I wonder if there are any crafty ones?
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