Sorry For the lateness of this post! For our first installation of “Japanese Culture: Redefined” series, of course, we’ll be starting the year right… We’ll be celebrating the new year – The Japanese Way.
So, if you’re wondering on how do Japanese People celebrate this very day, we’ll be explaining how it happens.
Origins
Before the Meiji Period, the Japanese celebrated their new year in accordance to the Chinese Lunar Calendar (which is usually around February). It was changed to adapt the Gregorian calendar in the year 1873, during the Meiji Restoration Period. Therefore, tis declared that January 1, is the official and cultural New Year’s day of Japan.
Ōmisoka: The New Year’s Eve
New year’s eve is a busy day for Japanese people because it is the day where they prepare for the celebration of the first day of the new year, the most important day in Japanese Tradition.
During the evening, NHK airs the Kōhaku Uta Gassen or Kohaku every 7:30, wherein JPop Singers, Kohaku and Foreign singers (For the Record Gary Valenciano and Smokey Mountain made it on the show) compete in two teams, the Red and White team, and tried to win the audiences’ heart. This has been a tradition since 1959 on TV, 1951 on Radio; and is still one of the most awaited shows in Japanese Television. Whoever wins will get a trophy, while the losers will get a flag (LOL 
)
At 11 PM, people at home will now gather and eat their last meal for the year, the toshikoshi-soba or the toshikoshi-udon. This is believed that the noodles symbolize the road to a new year ahead, much more alike to Chinese’s beliefs about noodles as well. (Note: Toshikoshi means New Year)
Then at midnight, everyone will gather and visit the shrines called the Hatsumode, which is regarded as the first shrine visit in a new year. Yearly millions of people gather in shrines, where they await for the ringing of the bells; for 108 times (simbolizing the 108 sins of the buddhists) to put away bad luck and to wish a good year to come.
New Year Food
New Year is a festive day for Japanese People. Traditional Japanese Foods or Osechi-ryori, are usually served in every household’s table. It is usually consists of:
Daidai (橙), Japanese bitter orange. Daidai means “from generation to generation” when written in different kanji as 代々. Like kazunoko below, it symbolizes a wish for children in the New Year.
Datemaki (伊達巻 or 伊達巻き), sweet rolled omelette mixed with fish paste or mashed shrimp. They symbolize a wish for many auspicious days. On auspicious days (晴れの日, hare-no-hi), Japanese people traditionally wear fine clothing as a part of enjoying themselves. One of the meanings associated with the second kanji includes “fashionability,” derived from the illustrious dress of the samurai from Date Han.
Kamaboko (蒲鉾), broiled fish cake. Traditionally, slices of red and white kamaboko are alternated in rows or arranged in a pattern. The color and shape are reminiscent of Japan rising sun, and have a celebratory, festive meaning.
Kazunoko (数の子), herring roe. Kazu means “number” and ko means “child.” It symbolizes a wish to be gifted with numerous children in the New Year.
Konbu (昆布), a kind of seaweed. It is associated with the word yorokobu, meaning “joy.”
Kuro-mame (黒豆), black soybeans. Mame also means “health,” symbolizing a wish for health in the New Year.
Kohaku-namasu (紅白なます), literally “red-white vegetable kuai,” is made of daikon and carrot cut into thin strips and pickled in sweetened vinegar with yuzu flavor.
Tai (鯛), red sea-bream. Tai is associated with the Japanese word medetai, symbolizing an auspicious event.
Tazukuri (田作り), dried sardines cooked in soy sauce. The literal meaning of the kanji in tazukuri is “rice paddy maker,” as the fish were used historically to fertilize rice fields. The symbolism is of an abundant harvest.
Zōni (雑煮), a soup of mochi rice cakes in clear broth (in eastern Japan) or miso broth (in western Japan).
Ebi (エビ), skewered prawns cooked with sake and soy sauce.
Nishiki tamago (錦卵), egg roulade; the egg is separated before cooking, yellow symbolizing gold, and white symbolizing silver.
aside from that, Mochi (rice cakes) is also served during New Year. It is usually very sticky, that’s why some people suffer from choking on that very day.
New Year Haiku
During new year’s day, some people spend time doing haiku (17 syllable poems), wherein they write about the “firsts” of the new year. Here’s an example:
>>:::< <
Dragonfly whispers Softly
hug inviting hearts.
Enlightened vision
>>:::< <
They are usually written in a Nengajo, or a Japanese New Year Postcard. Afterwards, they are sent to their loved ones to be opened on the 1st of January.
Other Customs
Aside from the ones said above, Japanese people also await for the first sunrise of the year, called the Hatsuhinode.
Lucky Bags or Fukubukuro – sealed “fortune” bags being sold by retail stores. It is said that if you’ve got good goods inside the bag, you will be lucky the rest of the year. Some do put iPhone on the bag yet being disappointed getting an iPhone case >.<
Say New Year the Japanese Way:
kotoshi mo yoroshiku o-negai-shimasu (今年もよろしくお願いします?) (I hope for your favour again in the coming year)
(shinnen) akemashite o-medetō-gozaimasu ((新年)あけましておめでとうございます?) (Happiness to you on the dawn [of a New Year])
kinga shinnen (謹賀新年) (Happy New Year)
shoshun/hatsuharu (初春) (literally “early spring”)
Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu 明けましておめでとうございます – Happy New Year!
