New Year's Day custom in Japan ①

A HAPPY 

NEW YEAR!!!【2015】

is called "AKEMASHITE OMEDETO GOZAIMASU" in Japanese.

For Japanese people, A New Year's Day is important.

So, A New Year’s Day has many customs in Japan.

Today, I introduce about New Year’s Day decorations and Otoshidama!

You can also know about these from this video!

❀New Year’s Day decorations❀

We use special decorations inside and outside houses.These are to show houses are sacred places.By decorating, we prevent misfortune in the house.

［KAGAMIMOCHI］

This is Kagamimoch.

Kagamimochi are round, flat, rice cakes form 10-20 centimeters in diameter stacked in two layers on a stand, and the orange is on the top.

At the New Year, we offer kagamimochi, decorationg the alcove, to the Buddhist gods.

On January 11^th, we open the kagamimochi and eat it.

This is to get power from the year gods to live happily for one year.

[KADOMATSU]

We often use pine, bamboo, and plum for New Year decorations.These plants are considered to be lucky.

Because bamboo grows fast and is always green, it symbolizes “life force” and “long life.”We put it in front of the entrance of houses, buildings, and department stores.We take down the decorations on January 7^th.

[OTOSHIDAMA]

In New Year’s Day, Parents, relatives, and visitors give to child some gift money.

The money is called Otoshidama.

You can’t just hand somebody money. Bills and coins should be placed in a small envelope.Children look forward to getting otoshidama from adults.

You can see the real one!! Please check this video(^-^)

Have a nice year!!!

You can know about Japan　more (Youtube)⇒https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-gzTuqI6O3WUa3819wbWAg

Twitter ⇒　@jpculture1000  https://twitter.com/Jpculture1000

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