How to Welcome the New Year: Japanese Traditions
As the New Year approaches, many of us look for ways to welcome it with joy and tradition. In Japan, the New Year is a time of rich cultural practices and meaningful customs. From special foods like Toshikoshi soba to traditional decorations such as kagami-mochi and kadomatsu, these practices help usher in a year of good fortune and resilience. In this blog, we explore some of these cherished Japanese traditions and their significance, offering you a glimpse into the beautiful ways the Japanese celebrate the New Year.
What to Eat: Toshikoshi Soba
Toshikoshi is all about crossing over to the new year with a bowl of "year crossing noodles." These soba noodles are super simple and humble, but they're packed with meaning. Munching on soba is like saying goodbye to last year's troubles and welcoming strength and resilience for the year ahead.
Japanese New Year's Decorations
There are certain tradtional New Year's decorations that you are likely see at the end of December and the beginning of January in Japan. Keep reading to learn about these decorations and their meanings in the context of Japanese Culture.
Kagami-mochi
Kagami-mochi consists of two stacked rice cakes, one larger and one smaller, topped with an orange-colored fruit called "daidai." In Japanese culture, mirrors are significant treasures, symbolizing value and purity.
Kagami-mochi serves as a "yorishiro" (an object attracting spirits) for the New Year god "Toshigami" and is offered as a symbol of good fortune. The custom of breaking kagami-mochi, known as "kagami biraki," occurs on January 11th. The dried mochi is then often cooked and enjoyed in "ozoni," a traditional New Year's soup.
Kadomatsu
Kadomatsu usually features pine, bamboo, and plum branches. These decorations act as a "yorishiro" for Toshigami, helping the deity locate your home. A well-known Japanese proverb, "warau kado niwa fuku kitaru," translates to "fortune comes to a gate that laughs," suggesting that a smiling kadomatsu will bring luck and prosperity in the coming year.
Shime-kazari
Shime-kazari is a straw rope decoration commonly placed at entrances to ward off misfortune and welcome the New Year god. It features elements like "shide" (folded paper), daidai, and Yuzuriha tree leaves. Shime-kazari can vary in shape and size, often resembling a Christmas wreath when hung on doors.
