Online dictionary of history and traditions in Japan: New year

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French version

New year

正月お正月新年
alternative words: Shogatsu, Oshogatsu, Shinnen, New year festival, New year celebration
keywords: festival
related topics: Osechi ryori , Ozoni , Kadomatsu , Mochi , Kagami mochi , Hanetsuki , Hagoita , Japanese kite , 7 fortune gods , Takarabune
related web sites: http://www.komonsan.on.arena.ne.jp/htm/yeny.htm , http://www5.airnet.ne.jp/hukuta/nanyo/rekisi/kurasi.html
explanation: New year's celebration begins with 108 rings of Buddhist temples (joya no kane) and people go to shrines or temples for the first prayer (hatsumode). The house entrance is decorated with pine boughs (kadomatsu) while on the alcove, round rice cakes (kagami mochi) are installed as offering to year's god (toshigami). During 1 week, people don't work so housewives have prepared special dishes which are easy to cook (osechi ryori). Children are offered money (otoshidama) to buy toys.