良いお年を (Yoi Otoshi O) Happy New year !!!

Day 1,866, 09:12 • Published in Japan Japan • by Zodiarque

Hi, its Zodiarque !

I dedicate this article to Alector, should you be still with us or not in this New year, I thank you for the good moments. *bows respectfully, shedding a tear*


New year is comming !! May you celebrate it with dignity, with family or friends, wherever you are and whatever your faith.

Now, a few words inspired by Minami-san who commented on an other article wishing you a Happy New Year.




Japan celebrates entering the new year on January 1st since the late nineteenth century. But Japanese culture obliges, this tradition differs from that of Westerners on several points that I describe in this article.

The "New year" says « お正月 » (Oshôgatsu). In Japanese, there are two ways to wish a happy new year :

In japan, we better say « 良いお年を » (yoi otoshi o) until we reach « 大晦日 » (ômisoka) the 31st of december.

Only when you meet people first time the 1st of January, you say « 明けましておめでとう » (akemashite omedetô). Or even more formal/polite « 新年明けましておめでとうございます » (shinnen akemashite omedetô gozaimasu).



The tradition is to send greetings by mail in cards called « 年贺状 » (Nengajo). While in most countries we can send it throughout the month of January, according to Japanese tradition, they must arrive on the morning of January 1st (Japan Post ensures that this is the case...).

The last days of December, the Japanese make great household in the house. A great cleaning called « 大扫除 » (ôsôji) that serves as a rite of purification. Everyone in the family has to help and its a great moment of gathering before the 31st for adults and sometime a real pain for the kids who would rather play with their christmas presents...

Eve takes place quite traditionally in family, except for young people who usually go partying with friends. We eat a broth of soba or udon (noodles) called « 年越し » (toshikoshi), and we watch variety shows on TV that broadcast sketches and songs, traditional or modern : idol, groups...



Around midnight, we go to the Buddhist or Shinto shrine for « 初诣 » (Hatsumode) the first visit to the temple. We pray ringing the bell. Temples and shrines are often crowded and you have to queue, sometimes for several hours. Then everyone returns to a feast called « お節料理 » (osechiryôri).



Minna-san ! I'm so glad the world didn't end so we can all watch « 初日の出 » (hatsuhinode) the first sunrise together and think of a better future for eJapan ! Let us drink together the first sake of the year « 屠苏 » (Toso) at 9am, then breakfast shall be a very copious lunch, and we can eventually return to the temple to draw predictions of good fortune « お神籤 » (omikuji).



Don't worry for your job, January 1st « 元日 » (ganjitsu) is a holiday and pretty often, during the 1 or 2 following days, some businesses close (not conbinis, fortunately). It's like a mini golden week, during which the Japaneses can relax or go on a journey : visiting the family or go abroad.

On January 2nd, the Emperor of Japan presents its wishes to visitors of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. It is one of the only two days of the year where it is possible to enter, with the Emperor's birthday. The crowd is very dense and the imperial family welcomes the public several times a day from a balcony protected by glass.

It only remains for me to wish you all a Happy New Year ! 良いお年を!!




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