This year I made my Hatsumode rather late, which enabled me to see some of the trappings of the new year while avoiding all the crowds. Shrine staff were in relaxed mood and had time to chat, while taking stock … Read the rest
Category: New Year (Page 4 of 8)
Cleansing and purification are central to the values of Shinto, and the big clean-up at the end of the year can be seen as part of the spirit of revival that underpins much of the religion. It should be noted … Read the rest
The following text is courtesy of the Japan Centre, Piccadilly, London
Sake Ceremony & Mochi Pounding Events for New Year
New Year will be soon upon us again and that means it’s time for some traditional Japanese celebrations! New Year, … Read the rest
In the days leading up to the New Year, it seems right to turn attention to what will be the nation’s no. 1 most popular spot for shrine visiting. That’s just what The Japan Times did yesterday with its celebratory … Read the rest
I’ve been told that the New Year snowfall in Kyoto has been the largest for over 50 years. It may have created discomfort for some, but it gave the city a suitably wintry garb and made this year’s ‘first visit … Read the rest
Kagami mochi (mirror rice cake) is traditionally associated with the New Year. It consists of two rice cakes, a small one atop a larger one, surmounted by a daidai bitter orange. Rice was traditionally Japan’s sacred food, and it’s … Read the rest
Green Shinto has been writing of New Year customs in Japan for some years now (see the postings under the category titled New Year to the right). It’s a hugely important time in the Japanese scheme of things, since calendrically … Read the rest