Japanese New Year Traditions (Part 2)
Japanese New Year (お正月 oshougatsu) is one of the oldest and most celebrated holidays in all of Japan. Japanese people celebrate New Year’s from January 1st until January 3rd through a variety of unique traditions, customs, and festivals. During this time, millions of people travel to gather with family and visit local shrines and temples to participate in community events and celebrations.
In part 1 of this article, we learned about five Japanese New Year traditions including hatsumode, omikuji, joya no kane and kadomatsu. In part 2, we will learn about three more Japanese New Year traditions.
Japanese New Year (お正月 oshougatsu) is one of the oldest and most celebrated holidays in all of Japan. Japanese people celebrate New Year’s from January 1st until January 3rd through a variety of unique traditions, customs, and festivals. During this time, millions of people travel to gather with family and visit local shrines and temples to participate in community events and celebrations.
In part 1 of this article, we learned about five Japanese New Year traditions including hatsumode, omikuji, joya no kane and kadomatsu. In part 2, we will learn about three more Japanese New Year traditions.
#5: Toshikoshi Soba
Toshikoshi Soba or New Years’ Soba is a dish that Japanese people enjoy on New Years’ Eve. Due to soba’s unique properties, eating soba noodles at New Years’ represents gaining good luck, health, and strength for the upcoming year in Japan.
Because soba noodles are made of buckwheat plant, they can survive harsh weather conditions. Due to this, soba noodles have come to represent strength and resilience. Soba noodles are also very long, which is considered a symbol for long life in Japan. Finally, soba noodles can be broken easily when being eaten, which symbolizes the release of hardships to start the upcoming year with a fresh slate.
Toshikoshi Soba or New Years’ Soba is a dish that Japanese people enjoy on New Years’ Eve. Due to soba’s unique properties, eating soba noodles at New Years’ represents gaining good luck, health, and strength for the upcoming year in Japan.
Because soba noodles are made of buckwheat plant, they can survive harsh weather conditions. Due to this, soba noodles have come to represent strength and resilience. Soba noodles are also very long, which is considered a symbol for long life in Japan. Finally, soba noodles can be broken easily when being eaten, which symbolizes the release of hardships to start the upcoming year with a fresh slate.
#6: Osechi
Osechi is the traditional cuisine that is served on January 1st in Japan. Osechi includes a variety of seafood, vegetables, meat, and traditional sweets that are served in large decorative boxes (重箱 jubako), which are reserved exclusively for serving osechi on New Year’s Day.
Traditionally, Osechi was prepared and eaten at home with family, which often took 1-3 full days of preparation depending on the serving size and variety of foods included. However today, many people purchase premade Osechi box sets from their local supermarkets, restaurants, or department stores, which can cost anywhere from roughly￥10,000 to well over ￥100,000 depending on the quality and supplier.
Although originally consisting of only a few dishes when it was introduced from China back in the Heian Period (794-1185), many dishes have been added since then. Furthermore, most of these dishes have special meanings attached to them, which I have listed below.
Osechi is the traditional cuisine that is served on January 1st in Japan. Osechi includes a variety of seafood, vegetables, meat, and traditional sweets that are served in large decorative boxes (重箱 jubako), which are reserved exclusively for serving osechi on New Year’s Day.
Traditionally, Osechi was prepared and eaten at home with family, which often took 1-3 full days of preparation depending on the serving size and variety of foods included. However today, many people purchase premade Osechi box sets from their local supermarkets, restaurants, or department stores, which can cost anywhere from roughly￥10,000 to well over ￥100,000 depending on the quality and supplier.
Although originally consisting of only a few dishes when it was introduced from China back in the Heian Period (794-1185), many dishes have been added since then. Furthermore, most of these dishes have special meanings attached to them, which I have listed below.
From left to right, top to bottom:
1: Kamaboko – Red and white is for celebration
2: Herring Roe – lots of descendants
3: Tazukuri – good harvest
4: Datemaki – Good luck for studying
5: Kuromame – work diligently
6: Ebi – long life
7: Kobu – happiness
8: Tai (Sea Bream) – Celebration, happiness
9: Kurikinton – money, wealth
From left to right, top to bottom:
1: Kamaboko – Red and white is for celebration
2: Herring Roe – lots of descendants
3: Tazukuri – good harvest
4: Datemaki – Good luck for studying
5: Kuromame – work diligently
6: Ebi – long life
7: Kobu – happiness
8: Tai (Sea Bream) – Celebration, happiness
9: Kurikinton – money, wealth
#7: Kagami Mochi
Kagami Mochi is a traditional Japanese decoration displayed in Japanese homes during New Years. Its basic structure consists of two round stacked mochi cakes with a Japanese bitter orange on top. Kagami Mochi also includes the following elements:
Shide – lightning-pattern paper streamers that are used for blessing and purification of negative energy in Shinto rituals
Shihobeni – sheets of paper that are believed to ward against house fires
Sanpo – small stand for the Kagami Mochi to rest on
The kagami mochi is traditionally displayed on a kamidana (Shinto alter) or butsudan (Buddhist alter) in the home until January 11th after which point the mochi will have become hard. The mochi will then be broken with a wooden hammer, cooked, and enjoyed on this day.
The original purpose of kagami mochi is not clear, but there are multiple interpretations. One theory states that the kagami mochi will attract the Toshigami and serve as a yorishiro, which will bring happiness and blessings for the new year.
Another theory states that the mochi cakes represent the sun and moon or philosophical concept of yin and yang. Yin and yang are opposing, but intertwined forces in nature like light and dark, or fire and water. The balance between these forces creates everything in the universe.
Kagami Mochi is a traditional Japanese decoration displayed in Japanese homes during New Years. Its basic structure consists of two round stacked mochi cakes with a Japanese bitter orange on top. Kagami Mochi also includes the following elements:
Shide – lightning-pattern paper streamers that are used for blessing and purification of negative energy in Shinto rituals
Shihobeni – sheets of paper that are believed to ward against house fires
Sanpo – small stand for the Kagami Mochi to rest on
The kagami mochi is traditionally displayed on a kamidana (Shinto alter) or butsudan (Buddhist alter) in the home until January 11th after which point the mochi will have become hard. The mochi will then be broken with a wooden hammer, cooked, and enjoyed on this day.
The original purpose of kagami mochi is not clear, but there are multiple interpretations. One theory states that the kagami mochi will attract the Toshigami and serve as a yorishiro, which will bring happiness and blessings for the new year.
Another theory states that the mochi cakes represent the sun and moon or philosophical concept of yin and yang. Yin and yang are opposing, but intertwined forces in nature like light and dark, or fire and water. The balance between these forces creates everything in the universe.
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