Oomisoka: Japanese New Year’s Eve Celebration
New Year’s Eve is “Oomisoka” in Japanese which means “the last day of the year.” Christmas is big in Japan, but New Year’s Day is the real holiday. They celebrate from New Year’s Eve to New Year’s Day.
This entry is about December 31st and the preparations for it. Let’s look back to understand these preparations.
Oosoji – the “Big Cleaning”
Oosoji means “big cleaning,” where everyone in the family cleans their home. They clean windows, verandas, doors, the kitchen, toilets, and bedrooms to welcome the new year. Employees also clean their offices before the year ends.
Japanese usually do this cleaning a few days before December 31st.
Nenga-jo or New Year Cards
Nenga-jo are Japanese New Year cards. Japanese usually send these cards out in advance to arrive by January 1st. The tradition of exchanging Nenga-jo has been around for centuries. The cards usually have good luck, health, and prosperity images and messages. Families and friends make these cards to show respect and love.
Digital Nenga-jo are becoming more common, but the physical card remains the preferred method. Receiving these handwritten greetings on New Year’s Day is a cherished tradition that helps strengthen social bonds and spread positivity.
Toshikoshi Soba
After cleaning, the traditional evening meal is soba noodles. This is called “Toshikoshi soba,” which means “soba noodles to bring in the New Year.” Eating Toshikoshi soba on Omisoka night brings luck, fortune, and longevity. It’s easy to eat, so it’s a way to forget problems from the past year.
Joya no Kane – Midnight Bell Ringing
In the last hours of the year, they listen to the sound of temple bells and wait for the New Year. The event rings the bell 108 times. In Buddhism, 108 represents the 108 worldly desires humans possess. The bell is struck 108 times to rid oneself of these desires. They strike 107 times on New Year’s Eve and the last one on New Year’s Day.
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