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Monday, February 22, 2016

Oshogatsu - traditional Tet festival in Japan

The Japanese have long Chinese New Year Lunar time as Vietnam, China and some other Asian countries that organized the New Year calendar. The Japanese call this occasion is "Oshogatsu" and this is the event to welcome the gods Toshigamisama. 

Preparatory work for Tet

Before the New Year, the Japanese decorative kadomatsu (FIR) at the door, the tree represents eternal life, and the human spirit and Japan. Legend has it that gods will Toshigamisama earth and shelter in this tree. In the old days people often build tree on 13/12 is the start of preparations for Tet. Also recently, on 27 or 28, people avoid tree up on 29 and Eve. 29th with the same number 9 in Japanese sounds with the word "suffering", also decorate the tree on New Year's Eve is called "Hitoyokazari" means only one night to welcome the god should be considered disrespectful. 




Some families hang Shimenawa around him (straw braid with iridescent paper tape pasted around) the door to meaningful than the devil and welcome the gods, symbolizes good things will always be present in the lives of they. Braided grass rope hung in temples or places of worship, divine glass bridge rising fortune; white leaf speaks spotless purity; White paper strips are meant to cleanse the stigma and dispel evil spirits.

The Japanese also set wakazari (rope wrapped into small circles and flowers on the top end, place hooks) in the kitchen with thanksgiving meaning the god of fire and water god has brought a prosperous life, the feast happy family; in addition, is also hanging in the hood wakazari cars and bikes to safety requirements in the new year. 

In cultural rituals for Tet

30 New Year night is family reunion time, ate together and await New Year's Eve moment. On the table in the Japanese families these days often indispensable cakes made from rice (Japanese called omochi), dishes prepared with fish and seafood ... The food is made from rice is the source to help people succeed.

Year end meal, many people will come to the temples near to Eve. Before going to the ceremony to hand washing, oral hygiene clean. At the temple, the Japanese would toss coins (usually copper denominations of 500, 100, 50 and 10 yen) in the big donation box at the door. Then, they will bow to 2 hands ceremony, clapping his hands two times before finally bowing in prayer and add one more celebration. 

Right moment to transfer to the new year, ring in all the temples throughout Japan will simultaneously point of 108 hours. According to ancient notions, the bell rings 108 times to dispel the 108 earthly desires and the human misery. Humming bells simultaneously across the country sent messages and prayers of everyone for a happy new year, peace.Currently, a lot of temples in Japan for the bell for 108 people to the earliest temple ceremony at that time. Was one of 108 people who sound the bell signaling the transfer is desired by so many Japanese people because it is the first sign of good luck New Year's eve. 

In the day of 01, 02 and 03, the Japanese made the first visit of spring. Their superiors to Tet in his company, Tet cousins, relatives, friends and neighbors. Typically each House to pen a book together prior to arrival port Tet record or save a business card name notified visited home. Or more people will bring more small hand towels to give his name on the home as a souvenir.

Oshogatsu is about time favorite Japanese children because they will receive lucky money. Lucky money in Japanese is "Otoshidama", the word comes from the sense of the power of the gods Toshigamisama. 

At the end of the year, Japanese people often prepare record cards thanks and best wishes on the occasion of the most solemn New Year to acquaintances. This custom is evident cultural traditions "thank you" from Japan. Every little postcard despite being sent which carries profound gratitude what others had done for him. Postcards will be delivered to the recipient at the right hand 01 day of Tet.

The extraordinary thing is that, for those who have loved ones who died in the year, it will not send or receive business cards from anyone's new year so they can retreat and pray for the memory of the deceased.


Oshougatsu - Japanese New Year's Day, holidays bold unique cultural and oldest existing Japanese people. /.

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