The Japanese cherish the traditions of their country. Every detail of the New Year's celebration in the land of the rising sun is symbolic - the dishes of the festive table, decorations, customs, gifts.
As in Russia, it is customary to celebrate the New Year in Japan on January 1. However, almost all employees go on vacation on December 29-30. The festive period in the country is called "golden week".
Most Japanese people spend their holidays with their families or outside the city.
Traditional dishes of the Japanese new year table
In almost every Japanese home, mochi (rice cake) can be found on the table before the holiday. The recipe for cooking it goes deep into antiquity - a sticky variety of rice was loaded into a real wooden barrel, several people stirred it for a long time, and then beat it off with heavy wooden hammers.
Cooking mochi used to be exclusively the prerogative of men, however, due to the decrease in their number in the villages, the Japanese began to be content with machine-made mochi.
In addition to rice cakes, osechi is a must-have dish on every Japanese table. It is a collection of non-perishable foods that can be fed to a large number of people. This food is great for housewives, significantly reducing the time spent at the stove during the New Year holidays. Recently, osechi is purchased in supermarkets and most young Japanese women have already forgotten about the recipe for its preparation at home.
Celebrating the New Year in Japanese families
Kadomatsu is a New Year's decoration used by the Japanese to decorate the entrance to their homes. It consists of a pine branch and various complementary details. Among them are bamboo, plum, fern, tangerine, algae. All of them have a specific meaning. For example, pine - symbolizes longevity, fern - purification, fertility.
The holiday itself begins on the evening of December 31st. Until the next day, all family members gather at the table to celebrate the old new year. Children usually watch entertainment programs or play video games. All the rest begin to taste the master's dishes and drink.
About 15 minutes before New Year's Eve begins, Buddhist bells can be heard ringing. They must repulse 108 blows, which symbolizes 108 sins that have been forgiven a person over the past year. During this period, most Japanese eat soba (rice porridge). Long and thin rice noodles are a symbol of a long and happy life in the new year.
After that, everyone goes to bed. Hatsuyume is the first dream of the year, the Japanese are sure. that he can portend a happy future.
On the morning of January 1, zoni (New Year's soup) is served along with mochi. After breakfast, all family members go to the nearest temple for prayer.
As a rule, the New Year's mood among the Japanese lasts for about 3-4 days, then everyone begins to tune in to working days. At the end of the weekend, most housewives prepare another national dish - nanagusa-kayu (rice porridge with herbs). On January 15, Japanese families take out all the New Year's decorations from their homes and burn them in a crowded place. This is how the greeting of the New Year ends.
