WHEN EAST MEETS WEST: The Japanese New Year

 

By Hank F. Miller Jr.

2008 or the 19th year of Heisei, has come, the year of the rat.

December 31^st, 2007 st the last day of the year is begun with greetings such as "Akemashite (or Shinnen or Shin shun) Omedeto gozaimasu" or "A Happy New Year!  The morning of the very first day of the year, January 1 st, is called "gantan".

At night most people stay at home and eat a traditional bowl of buckwheat noodles specially prepared to symbolize longevity. TV and radio stations broadcast special programs. Most Japanese sit up until midnight to listen to the 108 bong-bong from the temple bells at the nearby Buddhist temple. The custom is based on the Buddhist teaching that man has 108 worldly desires which lead to suffering. Consequently, the bell in each temple is struck 108 times in hope of relieving people of the suffering caused by such earthly desires.

New Year day" It is the day when people welcome the God of the New Year, express their appreciation to the God of good harvest and peacefulness from the past year, and pray for good productivity and peace during the New Year. During the period when the lunisolar calendar was used, these prayers were made on the night of the full moon in January.

New Year is the biggest and largest celebration and is recognized as a national holiday from

December 31st till January 4th. Since Christmas isn't celebrated or isn't recognized as a national holiday and thus is a regular work day for most Japanese people. Remember Japan is a Buddhist country.

But here at the Miller household we are on holiday from December 22nd till January 6th, so Christmas is celebrated on December 25th.

Warm Regards From Kitakyushu City ,Japan.

A Very Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year !

Hank, Keiko, Lucas, Max & Rachel

The Miller Family

Comments

Hank
I'm reading your post while you are having breakfast at Ponzio's. Sorry I missed that gathering. I'll explain when I see you. Please contact me by email or phone (609-280-3710) so that I can arrange a time to visit my home for that glass of wine I promised. Welcome back to the USA.
Rick