🎍SAYING GOODBYE TO THE NEW YEAR🤔
In many countries Christmas decorations are taken down on the 12th day of Christmas (January 6th), also known as Epiphany. To keep them up any longer is nowadays considered bad luck.
But what about Japan? Well, that depends where you live.
In many countries Christmas decorations are taken down on the 12th day of Christmas (January 6th), also known as Epiphany. To keep them up any longer is nowadays considered bad luck.
But what about Japan? Well, that depends where you live.
In Japan the New Year holiday period is known as 'Matsu-no-uchi' (松の内).
From December 13th ('Shōgatsu-goto Hajime' 正月事始め) preparations for welcoming the New Year begin: pine decorations are cut/bought ('Matsu-mukae' 松迎え) & the house is cleaned ('Susu-harai' すす払い).
From December 13th ('Shōgatsu-goto Hajime' 正月事始め) preparations for welcoming the New Year begin: pine decorations are cut/bought ('Matsu-mukae' 松迎え) & the house is cleaned ('Susu-harai' すす払い).
When does the New Year period end?
Well, in eastern Japan it usually finishes on January 7th, but in western Japan it goes on until the 15th.
In 1662 the Shōgun fixed January 7th as the 'end' of the New Year...but this decree arrived late in the west, so they settled on the 15th.
Well, in eastern Japan it usually finishes on January 7th, but in western Japan it goes on until the 15th.
In 1662 the Shōgun fixed January 7th as the 'end' of the New Year...but this decree arrived late in the west, so they settled on the 15th.
Originally the New Year ended on January 15th, followed by 'kagami-biraki' (鏡開き-consuming of the decorative rice cakes) on the 20th.
As the gods are said to dwell in the kagami-mochi (鏡餅) for the festive period, they could only be eaten after New Year was safely over.
#Japan
As the gods are said to dwell in the kagami-mochi (鏡餅) for the festive period, they could only be eaten after New Year was safely over.
#Japan
This thread will get you up to speed with 'kagami-mochi' and Japan's New Year traditions🎍🍊⬇️
#Japan #NewYear #正月 #Kyoto #京都
https://twitter.com/camelliakyoto/status/1477868988961275904?s=20
#Japan #NewYear #正月 #Kyoto #京都
Tokugawa Iemitsu's (徳川家光) death on April 20th 1651 made the 20th of each month a memorial day, necessitating the moving of kagami-biraki from January 20th.
At first the 11th was selected, but this was still within the New Year period & the gods would still be in attendance!
At first the 11th was selected, but this was still within the New Year period & the gods would still be in attendance!
To solve this problem the government decided that the New Year period would, from 1662, end on January 7th. Kagami-biraki could thus safely be held on the 11th.
Many places in west Japan, including the capital, ignored the new edicts and stuck to the original date.
#NewYear
Many places in west Japan, including the capital, ignored the new edicts and stuck to the original date.
#NewYear
From January 15th-19th (although the New Year period ends on the 7th nowadays, it ended on the 15th in the Edo period) the New Year decorations are taken to shrines to be ceremonially burnt to release the 'Toshigami'.
This event is known as 'Dondoyaki' (どんど焼き).
#Japan #Kyoto
This event is known as 'Dondoyaki' (どんど焼き).
#Japan #Kyoto
Because New Year decorations act as an invitation and conduit for the gods to visit, it is important that they are not simply thrown away.
Most shrines have a small box for disposing of (by burning) old charms, votive tablets & decorations.
Photo thanks- townnews.co.jp
Most shrines have a small box for disposing of (by burning) old charms, votive tablets & decorations.
Photo thanks- townnews.co.jp
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