Celebration of New Year

New Year is an important day to celebrate the Happy New Year

Every year at the beginning of the year, it is wrapped in the New Year mood and shows a nationwide excitement. Congratulations on events, related TV shows, and sales at each store. But do you know what it means in the first place? Introducing the formal reception and history.


table of contents


1 What is New Year?

2 Meaning of the word New Year

3 Customs to be practiced on New Year's Day

4 New Year history

5 The original meaning of the New Year

6 When did you start

7 How to enjoy modern times


What is New Year

Meaning of the word new year

New Year is not just about January 1st of the new year. In the first place, "New Year" is another name for January in the lunar calendar. Therefore, it is safe to call everything from the 1st to the 31st. However, in reality, it is common to think of it as Matsunouchi from the 1st to the 7th, or until January 15th, the end of the New Year.

In addition, since it is a happy time at the beginning of the year, various auspicious customs are practiced. I wish for a prosperous day of the year, trying to do things that lead to happiness. The Japanese have long been a religious people. Therefore, many New Year's customs have a fairly deep history. Not only as one of the events held by the general public, but also as a moment to reconsider the venerable history passed down from generation to generation, you will be able to spend a meaningful time.


The custom of celebrating the New Year

There are many customs that are practiced at the turn of the year. One of the most representative ones is general cleaning. This is the so-called "soot payment", which is expressed in the old way. It is unlikely that soot will be produced in modern life, but in the past, charcoal and firewood were used on a daily basis, so the word "soot" is used as an easy-to-understand word for dirt. The origin seems to be the soot-paying event that was held from December 13th to New Year at Edo Castle. Don't forget to take care of the whole house as well as sacred places such as the Kamidana and Buddhist altars.

In addition, the decoration peculiar to the New Year is also characteristic. It has become a symbol of this period and can be said to be indispensable for the New Year. For example, Kadomatsu is a typical example. It is a relatively large decoration with bamboo and pine, and will be installed as a mark to welcome the god. It is customary to place a pair on the left and right sides of the gate, which is often used not only in ordinary households but also in shops.

Shimenawa and Kagami mochi are also famous. These are also decorations for welcoming God. Shimenawa has a sacred meaning and represents a suitable place for God to come. Kagami mochi is used as a substitute for such a god to temporarily dwell. It has a round shape because it represents the soul. Furthermore, by eating ozoni at the timing of opening the mirror, you can receive sacred energy.

In addition, the custom of seeing the first sunrise is also characteristic. It will be the first sunrise of the happy New Year and the beginning of the year, so it can be seen as a thankful existence. However, people cannot control the weather. Therefore, it is said that if you can worship the first sunrise of the year, you will be lucky and you will be able to spend the year in good health. In particular, the ones that are greeted at the summit have a great meaning and are also called sunrise with respect.


New Year history

The original meaning of the new year

In the original sense, New Year is used as the name of the event to welcome the old god. It became another name for January because it coincided with that time. This old god is the god introduced above, and he comes at the beginning of the year and gives us grace such as happiness and abundant harvest. The reason is that this god will become the god of rice fields in spring, the god of mountains in autumn, and the god of old age again in New Year, so it is said to bring the blessings of rice fields and mountains.


When is it from

There are many historical cultures in Japan, but the New Year is the oldest, and it is said to be the oldest event in Japan. Although the origin is unknown, there is a theory that it existed before the middle of the 6th century as a powerful one. It is based on the legend of an old Japanese god, and has a meaning such as a memorial service for ancestors. However, the congratulatory and glamorous event as it is now has not yet taken place at this time. It is said that it was not until the common people after the Edo period that they could easily get things that they started to celebrate like in recent years.


How to enjoy modern times

It may have been a sacred and solemn event in the past, but in recent years it has changed again. How to spend a relaxing time once a year, such as spending time with your family while eating New Year dishes, laughing with your stomach while watching lively TV, and even spending a relaxing time traveling abroad. Is the mainstream. That doesn't mean it's unlucky, though. It is said that Toshigami will come to a lively and happy family, so it can be said that it is a meaningful way of spending in any form. It is important to be aware of the mood of being cheerful and enjoyable without being too obsessed with conventions.


How to enjoy modern times

It may have been a sacred and solemn event in the past, but in recent years it has changed again. How to spend a relaxing time once a year, such as spending time with your family while eating New Year dishes, laughing with your stomach while watching lively TV, and even spending a relaxing time traveling abroad. Is the mainstream. That doesn't mean it's unlucky, though. It is said that Toshigami will come to a lively and happy family, so it can be said that it is a meaningful way of spending in any form. It is important to be aware of the mood of being cheerful and enjoyable without being too obsessed with conventions.

I hope after reading this article, you may feel better than first. 

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