Oshogatsu お正月 (Japanese New Year) is the most important annual holiday in Japan. There are many traditions and customs that each hold a special meaning. Japanese plantation workers brought many of these traditions to Hawaiʻi.
Japanese traditions like oseibo お歳暮 (year-end gifts) and bonenkai 忘年会 (forget-the-year parties) are observed at the end of the year. Oosouji 大掃除 (big cleaning) is traditionally done between December 13th and 28th as a deep cleaning of homes and offices. In Hawaiʻi, oosouji is completed annually at the JCCH!
After oosouji, Japanese homes and businesses are adorned with oshogatsukazari お正月飾り(New Year’s decorations). Decorations used to welcome good luck in the coming year in Hawaiʻi and Japan include:
Kadomatsu
門松
(pine decoration) | Kagami Mochi
鏡餅
(mirror rice cake) | Kumade
熊手
(bamboo rake) | Shimekazari
注連飾り
(colorful rope wreath) |
Before midnight on December 31st, toshikoshisoba 年越し蕎麦 (New Year’s Eve soba) is eaten to symbolize longevity and letting go of the past. On New Year’s Day, osechi ryori おせち料理 (traditional Japanese New Year foods) and ozoni お雑煮 (New Year’s soup) are consumed for good health and prosperity.
New Year celebrations begin the joya no kane 除夜の鐘 (midnight bell). Temples will strike their large bells 108 times just before midnight. Other traditional celebrations include hatsuhinode 初日の出 (first sunrise of the year) and hatsumode 初詣 (first visit to a shrine/temple). It is customary to pray for good luck during your visit.
On January 1st, children will receive otoshidama お年玉 (New Year’s money). New Year’s greetings on nengajo 年賀状 (New Year’s card) are delivered digitally or by postal mail. Hanafuda 花札 (flower cards) is played by families in Hawaiʻi. Other activities include:
Fukuwarai
福笑い
(children’s game) | Hanetsuki
羽根つき
(Japanese badminton) | Karuta
歌留多
(card game) | Shodo
書道
(calligraphy) | Takoage
凧揚げ
(kite flying) |
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