JapanCorner - The Benihana Guide to Japan

Japanese New Years (oshougatsu) is one of the most celebrated holidays in Japan and it involves many traditions and customs. The Japanese New Year was originally celebrated according to the Chinese calendar in February or March however today it is celebrated on January first.

In preparation for the New Year, Japanese businesses attempt to settle all accounts and homes are cleaned and decorated. Many companies hold bonenkai (forget the year parties) and give generous bonuses to their employees. Gifts of money, sake and gourmet foods are typically given as a show of appreciation to persons who have been helpful in the past year such as a student to a teacher. For about one week prior to New Years Day, housewives begin the involved preparation of traditional New Years food which will be enjoyed by friends and family between January first through the third. New Years greeting cards in the form of postcards are sent out and the Japanese post office has a special detail which delivers them on January first.

On New Years Eve, it is customary to eat toshi-koshi soba which is buckwheat noodles in broth - the noodles representing best wishes for a long-life. Most families gather around the television and watch special New Years Eve variety shows featuring popular singers and entertainers. Then at midnight, temple bells are rung 108 times in a Buddhist tradition called Juya no Kane meant to drive away evil spirits and to welcome the New Year with a pure heart.

Then very early on New Years Day, many Japanese, dressed in kimono, make special pilgrimages to shrines and temples to pray for health and happiness. Throughout the holidays, the entrances of homes and businesses are decorated with either kadomatsu made of pine, bamboo and bamboo grass or shimenawa which is an arrangement made of sacred straw and folded rice paper.

For the first three days of the New Year, most businesses and schools are closed since this is considered a time of rest and celebration and no work should be done. Housewives are also able to rest since all the New Years food which is consumed these first three days was prepared during the last few days of the previous year. This special food is called osechi ryori and it includes many exotic dishes which are only served during this holiday. Popular foods include omochi which are rice cakes, ozoni which is a clear soup with colorful vegetables, fish cake and broiled mochi and onishime which is a type of stew. The jubako (multi-tiered lacquer box) contains a variety of beautifully prepared delicacies which have special meanings. For example, black beans are eaten to symbolize the elimination of any bad things which might come in the New Year and fish roe called kazu-no-ko is eaten for fertility.

Japanese children enjoy flying kites on New Years Day and to receiving otoshidama which is a gift of money given by adult friends and family members. While most businesses are closed the first three days of the New Year, schools generally recess for about 2 weeks.