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New Year 2008

The most important and most celebrated part of the holiday season in Japan is New Year’s Day, known as “O-Shogatsu”. The Chinese zodiac has a cycle of 12 years. Each year is represented by an animal. The animals are, in order; mouse, cow, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and bore. 2008 is the year of rat. Before the New Year, Japanese people clean their houses from top to bottom. Then they put New Year’s decorations. “Kodomatsu” are the most common Japanese New Year decoration and are thought to bring good luck in to the home. They are arranged from pine branches, bamboo and straw and set up both sides of the house and business entrances. “Kodamatsu Shimenawa” is another decoration. They are sacred rice straw ropes decorated with white paper and hung above front doors to act as barrier against evil spirits. In addition, posters featuring the animal of the year could be seen at the main door of the business places and it indicates the New Year wishes and re-open day for the New Year.

On the New Year eve, Japanese people spend time at home with their families. Shortly before mid night, Buddhist temples ring bells 108 times to remember Japan’s hardships. On the New Year day, the family starts the New Year with a “Mochi” or rice cake breakfast. After the New Year breakfast, people get dressed up in their kimonos to go to the shrine or to the temple to pray for good luck and good health in the New Year. Probably the most important holiday tradition for Japanese children is “O-toshidama”. These are little envelops containing money that children get from their parents and other relatives. When I look at these Japanese New Year traditions, I find lot of similarities with Sri Lankan New Year traditions. Perhaps because both the countries are Buddhist nations.