Japan is one of those states where they treat with particular trepidation the observance of national traditions. Celebrating the New Year is no exception.
Celebrating the New Year in Japan
In Japan, many centuries, the New Year , traditionally, celebrated the lunar calendar. And only at the end of the 19th century in this country O-shogatsu (New Year) is celebrated according to the Gregorian calendar. But, nevertheless, the old traditions of celebrating the New Year in Japan are largely preserved. Preparation for the New Year celebration begins long before the holiday. Traditional ornaments for the home are designed to protect him from evil forces, misfortunes and bring luck, prosperity, happiness and prosperity to him (hamaimi - special blunted arrows, like protection from evil spirits, takarube - ships with rice for the seven spirits of luck). The brightest detail of the New Year's decoration of the house is kadomatsu. This is a traditional Japanese composition made of pine, bamboo, mandarin tree branches and other items, necessarily tied with a string of straw, which is exposed in front of the house or apartment. Kadomatsu is a greeting to the New Year deity.
It does not dispense with paper lanterns, which became a business card of Japan.
An indispensable tradition of meeting the New Year in Japan, honored for hundreds of centuries - the coming of the new year announces the bell blows. Each of the strokes of the bell, according to ancient beliefs, chases one of the six human vices, which in turn have 18 shades.
When the New Year celebrates in Japan, certain traditions are also observed in decorating the festive table. Certainly, such a dish as oseti reri should be served. Its peculiarity is that it is served in three special boxes - dzyubako. The components can be different, but, by all means, carefully selected for taste. In addition, each component of oschi Reri, be it fish, vegetables or egg roll, symbolizes a certain desire for the new year. The traditional drink of the Japanese feast is sake.
As elsewhere, in Japan the tradition of giving presents is respected.