Japanese New Year

Japanese New Year (Oshogatsu) is one of the most important annual events in Japan. It is celebrated on January 1st, the first day of the Gregorian calendar. The celebration of the Japanese New Year is a blend of Shinto, Buddhist, and secular customs that have evolved over centuries.

History

The Japanese New Year has been celebrated since the Heian period, but it was during the Meiji era that January 1st became the official New Year's Day. Prior to this, the New Year was celebrated according to the Chinese lunar calendar.

Customs and Traditions

The Japanese New Year is a time for various customs and traditions. These include the first visit to a shrine or temple (Hatsumode), the first sunrise of the year (Hatsuhinode), and the preparation and consumption of special New Year's foods known as Osechi.

Hatsumode

Hatsumode is the first shrine or temple visit of the New Year. Many people visit a Shinto shrine during the New Year's period (January 1-3). During this visit, prayers are offered for the coming year's health, happiness, and prosperity.

Hatsuhinode

Hatsuhinode is the first sunrise of the New Year. Many Japanese people wake up early on New Year's Day to watch the first sunrise of the year, believing it to bring good luck for the coming year.

Osechi

Osechi are traditional Japanese New Year foods. The dishes that make up osechi each have a special meaning celebrating the New Year. Some of these dishes include Kazunoko (herring roe, symbolizing fertility), Kuromame (black soybeans, symbolizing health), and Tazukuri (candied sardines, symbolizing a bountiful harvest).

See Also

• Japanese calendar
• Japanese festivals
• Japanese culture