[MoCHE] Japanese New Year Traditions, Empress Day (Voting)

Day 2,964, 08:16 • Published in Japan Russia • by shirosakura

Prior to 1873, the Japanese New Year aligned with the new year specified on the Chinese lunar calendar, but after Emperor Meiji ordered a transition to the Gregorian calendar, new year's festivities began to slowly shift to that date instead! As the new year is upon us, I though I would share some of the most interesting traditions.



New Year's Food：Osechi-ryori（おせちいりょり）

A tradition the dates back to the Heian Period of classical Japan, Osechi for short is a collection of traditional new year's foods that come in a box called a jubako. Inside this box is a variety of foods, and it can vary from box to box. Some of the most common foods are items like fish cakes, seaweed, and black soybeans. Each item in the box represents a facet of life, such as health and joy. Osechi are readily available in stores all across Japan.



New Year's Postcards: nenjago （ねんじゃごう）

Even in the age of internet, it's still a widespread custom to send new year's greetings tiding goodwill to your relatives and friends. Originally the only method that could be used to communicate with faraway family, nenjago remain a popular way to send season's greetings. Most cards are patterned off the year's Chinese zodiac animal (this year is the year of the monkey).

The Japanese Post Office guarantees delivery of nenjago by January 1st if shipped early enough, and have to hire part time help to make sure the cards make it on time. Most people will write a great number of cards, with some people writing over a hundred a year, so it's not uncommon to have the cards printed wit generic messages and the addresses handwritten.



Emperor's Greeting

Since 1948, the general public had been allowed to join the Japanese Imperial family in welcoming the new year. While originally the visitors simply walked through the grounds without viewing the Emperor and his party. However in 1951, Emperor Showa made his first appearance in front of the people and it has been a well-attended tradition every year. This year, over 80,000 people are expected to be in attendance on January 2nd when the Emperor greets his people again.

That's all! Let me know in the comments below what you guys thought, and if anybody wants to translate any part of this, they're more than welcome!





Now for the Empress Day Nominations!

Our first contestant is Yao Ha Ducy from the series Gate: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri.



"A dark elf who is over 300 years old. She seeks the JSDF's aid when the same dragon that attacked Tuka's village moves to the forest where her tribe lives, becoming a threat to them. After the dragon is vanquished, she joins Itami's party as well."

Our second contestant is Bishamon from the series Noragami.



"The strongest Combat God who possesses many Shinki due to being unable to abandon spirits attacked by Ayakashi. She wants to kill Yato because in the past he slaughtered nearly all of her Shinki."

Okay everyone! Voting is open and will remain open until day 2,967. Unlike nominations, voting is done be secret ballot here