2012 Japanese New Year will mark the beginning of a new era. The celebration in Japan for New Year is always grand. The celebration to welcome a new year starts from the eve. On the New Years’ Eve Japanese welcome the New Year God Toshigami. Then cleaning of the house is followed after worship. At midnight the Buddhist temple rings the bell 108 times at midnight to welcome the New Year. This event is popularly known as Joya No Kane. There are 108 elements in a human mind. The bell is rung 108 times to pay tribute to the elements. Red and White Year-end Song Festival is a television in Japan which has reached its zenith and is telecast during New Year. Adding more to it a contest of songs between male and female are performed. This contest is in action since the last 60 years and is popularly known as Kohaku Uta Gassen.

Japanese New Year

As per the Gregorian calendar the Japanese New Year is celebrated on 1st of January every year. This day is the most important day in the Japanese Calendar. After the Meiji period the Japanese follow the Gregorian calendar. Earlier they used to follow the Chinese calendar. The 2012 Japanese New Year will be celebrated on 1st January too.

As per the Japanese New Year osechi is eaten by the Japanese. The dish consists of boiled seaweed, fish cake, mashed potato and chestnut along with burdock root and sweet black soyabean. The culinary tradition of Japan is worth a mention. Most of the dishes for New Year are sweet, sour and dried. The Japanese rice cakes called Mochi are made especially for the New Year.

As per the Japanese culture and tradition, they have to send New Year cards to all relatives, friends, Co-workers and family. One must post the New Year card during mid December for the card to reach on time.

The New Year day is celebrated with joy and hope every year. Some plan to stay at home and spend time with family members. While others like to spend the New Year outdoors. The custom of giving money to the young one at New Year is common in Japan. This tradition is called otoshidama.

Japanese visit the Shrine or a temple during New Years’ Day. The worship during the New Year is for good health, joy, prosperity and wealth. This tradition is popularly known as hatsumoude.

The Celebration in Japan for New Year

January 01 is marked as a New Year worldwide and Japan also celebrates the day as New Year. The celebration continues till 03 January. 2012 Japanese New Year will be no exceptional. The New Year celebration day is called Hatsumoude. For good health and wealth people dress in kimono and visit the traditional temple to worship during New Year. Talisman called Omamori is bought by people who bring good luck to the family.

The most important day in a Japanese calendar is 01 January. This day is also known as shogatsu or oshogatsu. The entire business sector is shut during 01 January to 03 January in Japan. This is time for celebration in the country. Japanese who stays out of Japan also celebrates this day to welcome the New Year. To say goodbye to the passing year Japanese celebrate bonenkai parties. Through this event they say good bye to the past and welcome the new beginning.

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