City News Shinagawa -- Let’s Become Familiar with Traditional Japanese Events

City News Shinagawa

In Japan, there are various events in each season. In this issue, we will describe events that are conducted in January and February in Japan. We hope that you will enjoy experiencing the heart of Japan by becoming familiar with these events. *Oshogatsu* (New Year’s) Among the people who have spent the New Year holidays in Japan, probably many have become interested in New Year customs. We describe some common Japanese New Year scenes.
Kadomatsu (Decorative Pine Tree) This ornament, made of pine branches and bamboo, is placed at the front entrance of homes during New Year’s. It has the meaning of purifying the entrance and welcoming the gods of the New Year.
Kakizome (New Year’s Calligraphy) This is an event in which people write with a calligraphy brush for the first time in the New Year. People often write their goals for the New Year.	Otoshidama (New Year’s Gift) To celebrate the New Year, adults customarily give children some pocket money or gifts. This custom and the gift itself are called otoshidama.
New Year’s Food *●Osechi-ryori* (New Year’s Food)** This special dish is eaten during the New Year holidays. Various kinds of food, such as kazunoko (herring roe), kuromame (black beans), and red-and-white kamaboko (fish cake), are arranged in multitiered boxes. Each dish that is packed into the box has a special meaning connected to good luck. ●Ozoni (New Year’s Soup with Rice Cake) This soup is often eaten during the New Year holidays. The ingredients and cooking methods vary with each region, but mainly, people put mochi (rice cake) and various vegetables in the soup.
New Year’s Games ●Fuku-warai (Lucky Laugh) Blindfolded players try to place puzzle-like pieces for the eyes, nose, and mouth within a paper face frame, and everyone has fun looking at each other’s result. ●Sugoroku (Board Game) With many spaces from furidashi (starting line) to agari (finish line), players roll dice and advance their pieces according to the number that appears on the dice. Whoever reaches the finish line first wins. In addition, koma-mawashi (spinning tops) and tako-age (kite flying) are traditional Japanese New Year’s games.

Coming-of-Age Ceremony

In Japan, the second Monday of January is a national holiday called Coming-of-Age Day. Coming-of-Age Day is set aside as a day to encourage young adults to grow in self-awareness as adults and live responsibly. The coming-of-age ceremony is an event that is held mainly on this day in celebration of those who have just joined the ranks of adulthood. Lectures are held, and municipalities give some gifts to the young adults. The young adults participate in formal wear, such as a suit or kimono.

Setsubun

Setsubun is an event celebrated around February 3, when people chant "Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!" (Out with the devil! In with fortune!) while tossing roasted soybeans. They will then eat the number of soybeans that corresponds to their kazoe-doshi (age calculated in the traditional Japanese way, which is one or two years older than that calculated in the Western way). Tossing beans chases away disasters chosen by devils and signifies hope that the coming year will be without illness or disaster.