お正月　Happy New Year!

What comes to mind when you think of Japanese New Year? Is it the food, temples, festivals, or something else? Do you have a precise understanding of these traditions? If not, don’t worry – we’re here to enlighten you.

 Let’s start with the basics. In Japan, the New Year holiday typically spans from January 1st to January 7th. However, for businesspeople, the holiday is generally observed from January 1st to 3rd, known as ‘Sanganichi.’ During this time, families come together to celebrate with traditional food and activities.

 Now, let’s delve into the culinary aspect. さて、料理面を掘り下げてみましょう。

1. Ozoni

A soup featuring Mochi (rice cake) and various vegetables. In the past, people believed that by consuming what was offered to the indigenous Japanese gods in this soup, they could gain divine power. The ingredients vary by region, offering a diverse range of Ozoni throughout Japan.

1. お雑煮

餅と野菜が入った汁物。その昔、日本の土着の神様にお供えしたものをこの汁でいただくことで、神通力が得られると信じられていました。具材は地域によって異なります。

2. Osechi

This is an elaborate New Year’s bento box containing over 20 different dishes. Families typically prepare more than 10 of these dishes, placing them in a special box called ‘Jubako.’ Each dish carries a positive meaning, such as “longevity,” “financial prosperity,” and “family unity.” Osechi not only promotes good health but also allows families to avoid cooking for several days.

2. おせち

20種類以上の料理が入った、手の込んだ正月用の弁当。家庭では通常、これらの料理を10種類以上用意し、「重箱」と呼ばれる特別な箱に入れます。それぞれの料理には、「長寿」、「経済的繁栄」、「家族の団結 」などのポジティブな意味が込められています。おせちは健康を促進するだけでなく、家族が数日間料理をしなくて済むようにします。

1. Kadomatsu

Crafted from pine and bamboo, Kadomatsu holds symbolic significance. Pine represents vitality as it stays green in winter, while bamboo symbolises a long life due to its rapid growth. It is customary to place Kadomatsu in front of the house.

1. 門松

松と竹から作られる門松には象徴的な意味があります。松は冬でも緑を保つことから生命力を表し、竹は成長が早いことから長寿を象徴します。門松は家の前に飾る習慣があります。

2. Shimekazari

This decoration signifies a sacred area and is placed above the entrance. The orange in the middle represents the sun or vitality.

 2. しめかざり

この飾りは神聖な場所を意味し、入り口の上に飾られます。中央のみかんは太陽や生命力を表します。

During Oshogatsu, Japanese people typically visit temples or shrines to express gratitude and pray for a safe and prosperous year, a practice known as "Hatsumode." In addition to prayers, individuals write their aspirations on wooden tags called "Ema" and participate in a form of fortune-telling called "Omikuji," where one's fortune or judgment is written on a piece of paper.

お正月には、神社やお寺に参拝し、一年の無事を祈る「初詣」が行われます。お参りだけでなく、「絵馬」と呼ばれる木札に願い事を書いたり、「おみくじ」と呼ばれる占いに参加したりします。

The "Eto" system assigns an animal to each year in a 12-year cycle, originating from China and widely used in SoutheastAsia.

中国発祥で東南アジアで広く使われています。

Similar to Christmas cards, Japanese people send New Year's greetings, known as "Nengajo," to relatives, friends, and colleagues. These cards are typically completed by Christmas and placed in mailboxes to arrive on January 1st. While it used to be common for individuals to write over 100 letters each year, nowadays, more people are opting for emails and chats instead.

クリスマスカードと同様に、日本人は親戚や友人、同僚に「年賀状」と呼ばれる新年の挨拶を送ります。年賀状はクリスマスまでに書き上げ、1月1日に届くようにポストに投函するのが一般的です。かつては毎年100通以上の手紙を書くのが一般的でしたが、最近ではメールやチャットで済ませる人が増えています。

How did you find learning about Japanese New Year? The New Year holiday is one of the most significant and longest vacations for the Japanese, and there are many more cultural practices associated with it. Feel free to explore further!

Have you enjoyed learning about Japanese New Year traditions?

日本のお正月についていかがでしたか？お正月は日本人にとって最も重要で長い休暇のひとつであり、それにまつわる文化的習慣はまだまだたくさんあります。もっともっと自由に探求してみてください！

日本のお正月の伝統について楽しんでいただけましたか？

 Phrases Related to "Happy New Year"

1. How did you spend the end of the year?

2. How did you decorate your house for the New Year?

3. What kind of food do Japanese people eat during the New Year?

4. Do you have any special traditions during the New Year?

5. How did you spend the New Year's Day? Who did you spend it with?