Prior to the Meiji Restoration, Japan celebrated the Lunar New Year just like China. During the Meiji Restoration, Japan actively westernized and integrated with Western science, technology, and culture, and chose to use the Gregorian calendar, which is commonly used in the West. This move took place in the fifth year of the Meiji era (1872), and in the process, Japan jumped directly from December 2, 1872 to January 1, 1873, almost skipping the entire month of December. When the calendar was changed, it was difficult for Japanese people working overseas to balance life and communication between the two places due to the difference between the Eastern and Western calendars and holidays, so they responded positively when the calendar was changed. Chinese, who are currently working and studying Xi in Japan, rarely have holidays during the traditional Spring Festival, and they also participate in Japanese New Year celebrations together.
"Wuzhou Liuzhi Boat Ferry Map" Kui Fang New Year's painting, three pieces of silk silk. Scene on the Rokugo Ferry during Emperor Meiji's visit to Tokyo in October 1888. A total of 2,800 people crossed the Rokugo River (Tama River) on a specially made boat bridge.
The day before the New Year is called 大晦日 (おおみそか). In the lunar calendar, the last day of each month is known as "晦日 (みそか)", while the last day of December, which is the last and most important day of the year, is now known as "大晦日 (おみそか)". You may wonder why it is read this way, but when you find out that "みそか" was once written as "密か", everything is clear. In addition, the word "晦 (つごもり)" has the meaning of "the day when the moon is hidden", so it is used to refer to the last day of each month.
It is said that since the Heian period, people have held Chinese New Year's Eve events to worship the gods of the years in order to bring a good harvest in the new year. It is believed that the annual deity visits homes, so from Chinese New Year's Eve, people stay at home and pray all night. Indeed it is. Over time, Xi customs on Chinese New Year's Eve have also changed, and the New Year's Day shrine visit has been preserved, forming today's "Chuji (はつもうで)". Chushu (はつもうで) is an event that is usually held at various shrines and temples, and people visit the shrines or temples to pray for good health and happiness and success in the new year.
Pictured here is Enhayana Temple, the No. 1 New Year's bell striking event in the Tokai region, where people arrive early to greet the new year the day before the New Year. Normally, the temple rings its bells 108 times. These bells begin on the night of December 31 and last until the early hours of January 1, symbolizing the transition from the old year to the new year. According to Buddhist teachings, human beings have 108 types of afflictions, and each time the bell is struck, one of them is eliminated. "Except the night の鐘" is not only a religious ceremony, it is also an important Xi in Japanese culture to welcome the New Year, reflect and purify the soul. This tradition embodies the Japanese perception of time, reflections on life, and New Year's wishes.
There are famous spots all over Japan to see the "初日の出 (はつひので)". The No. 1 New Year's sunrise viewing spot in the Tokai region is the Omaezaki Coast in Shizuoka Prefecture. In Japan, the first sunrise of the new year is seen as the most important sunrise of the year, symbolizing new beginnings, hope, and freshness. Many people believe that watching the sunrise on the first day of the new year can bring good luck and happiness throughout the year. On the first day of the new year, thousands of Japanese people wake up early and head to favorable viewing locations such as mountain tops, seashores, or specific viewing platforms to watch the sunrise. It's a time for families and friends to come together and experience together. Although 初日の出 is not directly associated with a specific religious belief, it contains a profound spiritual and spiritual purification meaning. Many people engage in inner reflection and the making of New Year's resolutions while watching the sunrise.
The tradition of "年賀状 (ねんがじょう)" originated from the old Japanese Xi custom of visiting relatives and friends in person during the first few days of the new year to express New Year's greetings. With the development of the postal service, the form of this visit was changed to sending New Year's cards. New Year's greetings usually contain New Year's greetings, the sender's name and address, and various decorative elements, such as patterns representing the New Year and symbols symbolizing good luck. Many annual greetings may also contain personal information or important events from the past year. To ensure that the cards arrive on New Year's Day, people usually prepare in advance and send out their New Year's Greetings by the end of December. Japan Post will make special arrangements for the delivery of these New Year's cards on January 1. The received New Year's greetings are usually displayed at home as decorations during the New Year. Some families even keep a particularly meaningful annual memorial as a souvenir. More than just a greeting card, it's also an important way in Japanese culture to connect with each other and convey New Year's greetings. Even in the digital age, this tradition retains its unique charm and significance.
(Image from https://nenga.kitamura.jp)