In Japan, New Year’s Day, or Oshogatsu, is one of the most significant holidays of the year, marked by various traditions and cultural practices that reflect the country’s deep respect for family, renewal, and spirituality. Oshogatsu typically starts on January 1st and is celebrated over several days, with customs and rituals that hold both historical and religious significance. Here’s a closer look at how Japanese people celebrate the New Year.
1. Preparation for Oshogatsu
The celebration of Oshogatsu begins well before January 1st. In the weeks leading up to the New Year, families thoroughly clean their homes in a practice known as osoji, which means “big cleaning.” This is done to rid the house of bad spirits and make it a welcoming place for the incoming year’s good fortune. People also decorate their homes with traditional New Year’s decorations, such as kadomatsu (a decorative arrangement of pine, bamboo, and plum branches) and shimekazari (a sacred rope adorned with items like rice cakes and oranges, symbolizing prosperity and protection).
Shops and businesses close during this period, and Japanese people typically return to their hometowns to spend time with their families, creating a sense of unity and connection.
2. The Role of Food in Oshogatsu
Food plays a central role in the New Year celebrations. A special feast known as osechi-ryori is prepared to welcome the new year. This traditional meal is usually served in stacked boxes called jubako and includes a variety of dishes, each representing good fortune for the coming year. Some common osechi foods include:
- Kuro-mame (sweet black soybeans) – symbolizing health and diligence.
- Kazunoko (herring roe) – representing fertility and prosperity.
- Tazukuri (dried sardines) – a symbol of a good harvest.
- Tai (sea bream) – a fish that symbolizes happiness and good luck.
In addition to osechi, mochi (pounded rice) is an important food, often served as ozoni, a soup made with a variety of ingredients like vegetables, rice cakes, and sometimes chicken or seafood.
3. New Year’s Eve (Omisoka)
New Year’s Eve, or omisoka, is a time for reflection and preparation for the upcoming year. Many Japanese families attend a temple or shrine to partake in the tradition of hatsumode, the first shrine visit of the year. It’s a time for people to pray for health, prosperity, and happiness in the coming year. The shrines and temples are often busy, with long lines of people waiting to offer their first prayers and purchase good luck charms.
At home, families often enjoy a meal of toshikoshi soba (buckwheat noodles), which symbolize longevity and the crossing from one year to the next. The act of eating the long noodles is believed to bring a long and healthy life.
4. Midnight Rituals and the First Shrine Visit (Hatsumode)
At midnight, people may gather to listen to the tolling of the temple bells. Joya no Kane is the custom of ringing a bell 108 times at Buddhist temples to symbolize the elimination of 108 earthly desires or sins that cause human suffering. The ringing is often followed by a moment of quiet reflection.
On New Year’s Day, many Japanese people will visit a local shrine or temple to perform hatsumode, the first shrine visit of the year. This visit involves offering a prayer for good luck, health, and success in the coming year. The custom is often followed by the purchasing of New Year’s charms, which are believed to offer protection and good fortune. These charms, known as omamori, can be used for various purposes such as academic success, safe travel, or protection from illness.
5. The New Year’s Greetings (Nengajo)
Sending New Year’s cards, or nengajo, is another important tradition during Oshogatsu. These postcards are typically sent to friends, family, and colleagues, often featuring images of the zodiac animal for the coming year. The postcards often include well wishes for the New Year, such as “Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu” (Happy New Year). These cards are expected to arrive on January 1st, and it is a tradition to send them ahead of time so that they will be delivered on time.
6. New Year’s Day Celebrations
On January 1st, many Japanese families gather to celebrate together. After the hatsumode shrine visit, people often enjoy breakfast together, which typically includes osechi-ryori. The day is also marked by games and activities that bring families together. Children enjoy playing traditional games like koma (spinning tops) and fukuwarai (a game where pieces of a face are randomly placed on a blank face, leading to humorous results). Many also enjoy karuta, a card game based on poems.
In recent years, watching the annual New Year’s Day television special, Kohaku Uta Gassen, a music program featuring popular artists, has become a common family activity.
7. The Symbolism of New Year’s Customs
Each of the customs observed during Oshogatsu is filled with meaning. The idea of renewal and the purification of spaces and people is central to the New Year celebrations. The emphasis on family and community, and the practice of honoring ancestors, speaks to the Japanese values of respect and connection. Foods like osechi and mochi carry symbolic meanings of wealth, health, and prosperity. The activities during Oshogatsu, from cleaning to the first shrine visit, are all designed to bring good fortune and to mark the start of a fresh, positive year.
8. Modern Day Celebrations and Changes
While many of the traditional customs are still observed, modern-day celebrations of Oshogatsu have evolved, especially among younger generations. While the traditional osechi remains a popular food, some families now opt for a more simplified version, or they may dine out at restaurants offering New Year’s specials. In cities, many businesses remain closed during the first few days of January, but in recent years, shopping districts and amusement parks have begun offering New Year sales and events to draw in crowds.
Technology has also played a role in changing the way people celebrate. With the rise of smartphones and social media, it’s now common to exchange New Year’s greetings via digital messages rather than physical cards. However, the tradition of sending nengajo has not disappeared entirely and is still important to many, particularly in rural areas.
9. The End of the New Year Celebrations
Oshogatsu festivities gradually wind down by January 3rd, which is known as Sanganichi. This is the last day of the New Year celebrations, and people often spend time visiting relatives or enjoying leisurely activities. While the intensity of the celebrations diminishes, there’s still a lingering sense of festivity as people continue to offer prayers for the New Year’s success and joy.
In conclusion, Oshogatsu is a time filled with deep cultural significance and rich traditions. From preparing the home to sending greetings and visiting shrines, the holiday embodies the values of renewal, respect for ancestors, and hope for a prosperous and healthy year ahead. Whether through family gatherings, food, or rituals, Oshogatsu remains a time for Japanese people to come together and celebrate the arrival of a new year with gratitude and optimism.