Japanese New Year
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48)
Thu 2008/01/03 23:47
Every new years eve, we usually stay indoors. This time however, we decided to spend the evening with thousands of other folk at a local shrine.
First spent the evening until about 11.30PM watching new years TV and munching on some snacks in the lounge.
First spent the evening until about 11.30PM watching new years TV and munching on some snacks in the lounge.
Still owe you a review of this awesome figure of Fauna by Alter - she was in the living room at the time so thought I'd take a snap.
The Christmas wreath is replaced by a Japanese new year version that my wife makes every year.
The Japanese word for "new year" is "Osho Gatsu" [お正月[おしょうがつ]].
To say "Happy new year" you should utter "Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu" [あけましておめでとうございます].
Or you can use the colloquial form which is "Ake Ome!" pronounced "ahke ormeh" but only use this with people who you know very well.
The Japanese word for "new year" is "Osho Gatsu" [お正月[おしょうがつ]].
To say "Happy new year" you should utter "Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu" [あけましておめでとうございます].
Or you can use the colloquial form which is "Ake Ome!" pronounced "ahke ormeh" but only use this with people who you know very well.
Arrive at the shrine at about 11.30PM to find a few thousand other people lining up to pay their respects.
The gongs strike at midnight and everybody cheers and claps.
At the end of the queue in the shrine is a box where people throw in money, clap twice and say a prayer with their hands clasped together. Most people are wishing for good fortune and health for the new year while others are wishing to meet the 2D girl of their dreams so that they can get married early.
At the end of the queue in the shrine is a box where people throw in money, clap twice and say a prayer with their hands clasped together. Most people are wishing for good fortune and health for the new year while others are wishing to meet the 2D girl of their dreams so that they can get married early.
Depending on when you was born, you will be in for a good or a bad year. People who where in for a bad year last year carried around objects which warded off evil spirits.
Objects from the previous year can be turned in by placing it in this box.
Objects from the previous year can be turned in by placing it in this box.
A list showing the unlucky years. If you are male and are 42, 25 or 61, you are going to be hounded by evil spirits and bad luck.
If you are a woman and are 37, 33, 19 or 61, you will also be followed by evil and bad luck.
But luckily, the shrine sells items which will protect you from these spirits in the form of parchments.
The parchments needs to be blessed however and if you purchase some at midnight then you need to go back the next day to collect them.
If you are a woman and are 37, 33, 19 or 61, you will also be followed by evil and bad luck.
But luckily, the shrine sells items which will protect you from these spirits in the form of parchments.
The parchments needs to be blessed however and if you purchase some at midnight then you need to go back the next day to collect them.
Some folk cant be bothered to go right up to the money box so they start to throw coins a few feet away.
The Japanese equivalent to holy water runs from the mouth of this fish.
When folks have said their prayers, they go to play traditional games.
You will see Wii and playstation boxes which gets all the little kids excited. Players are given a shotgun which fires rubber bands or cork to shoot at colored boxes on the shelf.
You knock over a box and think "I've won a Wii!!" where upon you are given a slap in the face (pack of chewing gums).
The Wii, NDS, PSP boxes are just to fool little kids into getting their parents to play.
The Wii, NDS, PSP boxes are just to fool little kids into getting their parents to play.
Just like matsuri time in the summer, food stalls are set up in the shrine.
Everybody drinks sake and beer and munches on yakitori.
This is Okonomi Yaki. Kinda like a Japanese pancake.
Its not only China that uses Disneys intellectual property without permission.
Its back to the shrine the next day to pick up the ward-off-evil parchment. Here we see folks lining up for some of that holy water.
We discovered this shrine earlier on in the year after living in the area for a few years. Its amazing what you can find nearby if you explore a little bit.
These arrows are called "Hamaya" and literally translated as an arrow which destroys demons. First came across the kanji for this when playing Onimusha on the PS2.
Folks buy these and stick them at home which they would use to shoot demons.
Folks buy these and stick them at home which they would use to shoot demons.
You can buy fortune parchments which will either say "you will have a great year - loads o fun, health, happiness and money" or "you will buy a small cute puppy which will grow up and eat you."
For folks who end up with a parchment that says the latter, they tie to this fence so that it doesn't come true.
For folks who end up with a parchment that says the latter, they tie to this fence so that it doesn't come true.
These pieces of wood are used to write ones wishes for the new year. Many of them are "I want to pass that test", "I want to pass the entrance exams for Tokyo university" or "please dont let my girlfriend discover the Candy Girl under the bed."
Many shrines have lots of smaller shrines within.
Kids love Osho Gatsu as they get their parents to buy them ultraman, sentai, puri cure, hello kitty and unlicensed Disney masks together with plastic guns.
Some yummy Taco yaki - fried octopus balls.
Despite the amount of people who gather at the shrines, the new year passes without incident.
I remember watching the news every year in the UK where a few people would be arrested at Trafalgar Square where they gather on new years eve.
I remember watching the news every year in the UK where a few people would be arrested at Trafalgar Square where they gather on new years eve.
More Taco Yaki.
Hello Kitty Taco Yaki.
And this is what we had for lunch - Taco Yaki, Motsu Ni and some Yakitori.
Spent the new year watching TV on the DS while working. The whole series of the live action Nodame Cantabile is being shown on TV before the special edition tomorrow.
Its the year of the Rat and my wife went to Meiji Jingu to get this years clay bell. Bells for the previous years - the boar and dog. Will be interesting to see how cute they can make a snake look.
A few ex Microsoft colleagues (who are now at Google Japan ^^;) are holding an event ...(more)
Sun 12/30 12:37 comments (44)
A nearby shop selling DVDs and CDs. While CD sales are on the decline, according to t...(more)
Fri 12/28 01:07 comments (65)
i was in japan for new years once, it was probably the most fun i ever had, didn't think new years could be that great of a event
(ID #68590) Posted on 2008/01/03 23:30
Student (CompSci) / Developer
Just to be an English Nazi: Christmas reef = no such thing. You mean wreath. Reefs have more to do with rocks and coral in the ocean than X-Mas.
(ID #68591) Posted on 2008/01/03 23:38
Director/代表取締役
phlyingpenguin, Yikes! thanks for the correction. I loosing my English orz.
(ID #68592) Posted on 2008/01/03 23:45
suneo (Registered on 2007/12/17 19:42)
shoot...I'm male and just turned 25 :(
(ID #68593) Posted on 2008/01/04 00:19
Happy new year Danny! Or as we say in portuguese(br): Feliz Ano Novo! Gotta love 'em takoyakis...
(ID #68594) Posted on 2008/01/04 00:28
McMaster Engineering Student Fall 08
I am en evil spirit. Woohhooo ph34r m3!
(ID #68596) Posted on 2008/01/04 01:11
it's been 2 days since new year in here ^^. what day is it now in japan? 2/1/2007 ? we don't have any celebration for new year here _T, most TV station celebrate it, but no event so far, just some firework there and there
(ID #68597) Posted on 2008/01/04 01:13
well your new year's went better than mine. started with heavy drinking and then people using firecrackers and then fires that threatened whole neighborhoods.Mind you the fires were started by sober people.
(ID #68598) Posted on 2008/01/04 01:26
Raven, AMV & MAD maker, Otaku
wow. i felt like i went on a tour reading some of those and looking at the pic @_@ and the fish that flows holy water sorta looks like a dragon ._. anyways the whole thing is awsome
(ID #68599) Posted on 2008/01/04 01:36
wauuuu...its really interesting at how nice and good you can spend new years celebrations on japn real awsome to be done sometime...i plus in my list to do when i go to japan
(ID #68600) Posted on 2008/01/04 01:54
Animator/ graphic designer
i wish i could watch teevee on my DS here in singapore too... would give me a reason to actually use mine! but anyway s happy new year mr Danny! glad you liked the book!
(ID #68601) Posted on 2008/01/04 02:12
Danny, isn't there any cute shrine maidens you could take a picture of? I love miko outfit ;3 Those pictures remind me of New Year's event in Lucky Star, especially the fortune parchment LOL
(ID #68602) Posted on 2008/01/04 02:32
My New Years was spent eating Kung Pao, spicy calamari, and drinking a lot of rum. Thereafter we all went to a friends house and started a massive fire (6ft high flames!!!), and people were chucking around sparklers.. that was before someone decided to throw a whole box in the fire.. Between the fire and the space heaters, we were fairly warm, and were feeling pretty good. Then we all played the "ask an odd question" game to see what everyone said. I now know things about my friends that I didnt want to know... ever. Then someone complained about being cold so we all went inside at 3am and fell asleep. Hooray! Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And auld lang syne? CHORUS: For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne, We'll tak a cup of kindness yet, For auld lang syne! And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp, And surely I'll be mine, And we'll tak a cup o kindness yet, For auld lang syne! We twa hae run about the braes, And pou'd the gowans fine, But we've wander'd monie a weary fit, Sin auld lang syne. We twa hae paidl'd in the burn Frae morning sun till dine, But seas between us braid hae roar'd Sin auld lang syne. And there's a hand my trusty fiere, And gie's a hand o thine, And we'll tak a right guid-willie waught, For auld lang syne HAPPY NEW YEARS EVERYONE! Dont screw this one up!! That goes for you Fat Bastard!
(ID #68603) Posted on 2008/01/04 02:54
Takoyaki and Okonomiyaki!!! If I'm in Japan I'll be eating it everyday.
(ID #68606) Posted on 2008/01/04 03:38
radical anime fan in Singapore; starting to freeze up. Mmm, end-of-year weather. (Registered on 2007/01/25 21:20)
Polytechnic Freshman. Mmm... fresh.
no jokes here, but that "fish" looks capable of chowing down a shark. after watching evangelion, i'll believe in ANYTHING, not just evil spirits.
(ID #68610) Posted on 2008/01/04 04:29
Student Engineer
Sounds like you had a better time than I did- I sat around and ate a bit and watched about 5 minutes of fireworks on TV that were going off at our closest major "major" city- Philadelphia. I worked on my models a lot and really didn't talk to my parents much- my sister had a party in the basement with 7 other peeps. Yes evil spirits exist- and there are good ones too. I found some of those traditions "odd", however there is a cultural difference here and I would totally respect rituals/customs that ring in the New Year in Japan. There is one thing I cannot do though when visiting a shring like this- I cannot offer a prayer or clap my hands. I understand the thought behind it and I think it is awesome-but I cannot do it for religious reasons- even if it means my arse gets booted from the area or I get mobbed. I don't mind watching others do it, though. This is something I have always wanted to do Danny- maybe next time I need to come to Japan for New Years! Looks a lot more fun than me sitting around. I had fun building my models though.
(ID #68611) Posted on 2008/01/04 04:50
"Despite the amount of people who gather at the shrines, the new year passes without incident." Lol. In France, there have been "only" 372 cars burnt, just to state the lowest estimation... But it is considered as a very quiet New Year Eve. But you see, France is very cold at this period of time so one need some fire to warm up ! Nah kidding, people do so either as a rebelion act, or for insurrance fraud or just for the tradition... In Singapore though, it was rather quiet as far as I know. Maybe because it is too hot ^^ Anyway, happy new year to all !
(ID #68612) Posted on 2008/01/04 04:54
Senior Software & Systems Developer
Isn't the 1st of January a public holiday in Japan? I'm asking since you mention working on new years, or did you work the day after? Spent a nice and hot new year on a farm out in the countryside around a bonfire watching the stars. Pardon me for being an English Nazi as well but "Depending on when you was born" should be "were" and "People who where in for a bad year" should be "were".
(ID #68613) Posted on 2008/01/04 05:08
No Hanabi at your festival danny? I simply spend new year every year with a get together with friends, a countdown, champagne, and a tonne of mindless games on the Wii. Only places where people gather on new year in SA are clubs, which really aren't for me ~-~
(ID #68614) Posted on 2008/01/04 05:18
Heh, Fauna is Danny's favorite. I was going to buy the figure too.
(ID #68616) Posted on 2008/01/04 06:19
Secondary Student~
there's lot of rubbish left behind too =/ Evil spirits.. I kind of doubt on them.. as long as I don't meet them, it's fine. I'll probably go KYAA~ and my own soul will float out of my mouth instead. I'm hungry ='(
(ID #68617) Posted on 2008/01/04 06:42
part time illustrationist, doll clothing seamstress
a snake bell will probably looks like one of your favourite topic ;P Happy new year Danny and wife! :D
(ID #68618) Posted on 2008/01/04 06:51
JR. College Student
How's the reliability of the DS' 1Seg? I heard in general 1Seg is somewhat unreliable(such as loosing the signal when moving, ect.).
(ID #68619) Posted on 2008/01/04 06:53
anime/cosplay events organizer
Filipinos has the belief in Feng Shui ^^ that means that yes we believe in evil spirits and good luck ^^
(ID #68620) Posted on 2008/01/04 07:07
Nodame is awesome lol, the live action did a pretty good job of copying the anime. I actually tried the shooting booth while in Japan at this festival in Osaka, I hit the boxes but they didn't fall down lol...I think it was rigged ^^.
(ID #68621) Posted on 2008/01/04 07:28
Afro-ed Student
Aw~ I'd really love to visit a shrine too.. But I can't, because firstly, I don't know where to find them over here, and secondly- my family would NEVER allow it. ='(
(ID #68622) Posted on 2008/01/04 07:49
i do ever go to the shrine, the lucky star ep22 1, forgot the name it is beautiful, and would like to go there again(since the 1st time i go, i don't understand anything) takoyaki there taste suge
(ID #68623) Posted on 2008/01/04 08:03
Part human, part student, 100% loser
LOL Danny, their "tradiotional" games looks really suspicious... The Wii and the playstation... Wow, really tradiotional... But it sure look like alot of fun, did you enjoy yourself Danny?
(ID #68624) Posted on 2008/01/04 08:16
WebDesign, Coding, Administration
Now i almost fell over when i saw Chiaki on your NDS. Nodame is love... totaly... can't get enough. I saw the anime first, then friends did point me to the dorama... hell... i did laugh tears and Chiaki is such a cutie. :D I have seen some festivals in japan now, tried to get them all but i never even did think about new years eve... might worth a shot. It seems better then geting drunk with friends and freezing my feet numb while watching some idiots burn their fingers. ^o^ Though lucky, this year i was (still am) stomatch sick, so hogging my computer with tea and zwieback (brussels biscuit?).
(ID #68637) Posted on 2008/01/04 09:55
Mandalorian in training + Otaku...
Feeling hungry after watching picture of the foods...looks like I will be eating Japanese tonight ^^
(ID #68645) Posted on 2008/01/04 10:46
宅男 Otaku/ 工程师 Engineer
me throw in money, clap twice, say a prayer and wish to meet the 2D girl of my dreams so that i can get married early. ('~')
(ID #68647) Posted on 2008/01/04 11:42
Service desk support
wait, Male and going to be 25... Aw hell. Guess my Mate was right when he looked at the chinese horoscopes and told me that I was going to have a crappy year... Good thing I don't really pay attention to those things then!!
(ID #68648) Posted on 2008/01/04 11:49
My mother have many amulets and stuff like that in the house, some even on my bedroom, side with my figures and mangas,(she is like a witch, but in the good way)but i don`t really belive in these things. Well, only a little...
(ID #68650) Posted on 2008/01/04 12:35
Waaah Takoyaki and Okonomiyaki... I'm hungry now... ... ok I admit that I smiled a bit when I read "fried octopus balls"... sorry... -_-);
(ID #68652) Posted on 2008/01/04 16:47
ecchi student
Wow! Japanese New Year seems really awesome! I wish I could visit Japan at New Year's instead of going this summer = =
(ID #68655) Posted on 2008/01/04 17:06
Aimless Traveler
I don't believe in evil spirits, but I do believe in the trouser snake.
(ID #68656) Posted on 2008/01/04 17:27
i'll be hounded by evil spirits and bad luck oh Sh*&! this is worst than i thought hehe well i don't believe in evil spirits but i do believe in bad luck, anyway i'm always trying not to XD. damn!! that Okonomiyaki looks really good (drooling) i've never tasted it i only know about it cuz it's always mentioned in manga, but thanx to you Danny this is the 1st time i've seen a real picture of the Okonomiyaki ^^!
(ID #68657) Posted on 2008/01/04 18:35
It would be awesome to buy a fortune parchment! Especielly to buy a good one, heh.
(ID #68659) Posted on 2008/01/04 19:21
Oh my talking about bad spirit/s... Last year when i was in a shrine at Kumamoto,Japan, i clapped 3 times in a roll as opposed to 2 when one is suppose to ring the bell to call forth the god (or something along that line). Right after my 3rd clap, i swore by saying sh** cause i suddenly realize i made a mistake in over-clapping. And then the fun began. Right after coming back from Japan, i got a whole streak of bad luck like 1) Well this happened over in Japan but was chased for a fine 15 mins by a bee near a river, 2) Fell down in a drain and got a deep cut, 3) Handphone went haywire and sent messages out by itself and 4) UV filter of loaned Eos 20D broke for no reason even though the lens was capped. Went straight to a Chinese temple over here and prayed. Since then not much of a bad luck. So a word of advisor, don't swear in shrines, regardless of languages.=x And a Happy New Year to you too danny!
(ID #68661) Posted on 2008/01/04 20:51
Only you could make me laugh when talking about the new year. Look like a dragon if you ask me, the videogames and accessories are for sale and the candies are the prizes, or is that you win empty boxes? lol. For the snake, I think a curled-up version would work, with the bell at the tip of the tail... Maybe?
(ID #68663) Posted on 2008/01/04 21:54
*Looks By the way, I'm glad that I am not to suffer from curses this year. *Laughs madly*
(ID #68664) Posted on 2008/01/04 21:57
LordHuggington (Registered on 2007/12/27 16:45)
I went down to a shrine around new years a couple of years ago. It was a week after new years and there were still quite a few people. Pretty surprising. It was much the same as your pictures show, Danny, but I also remember seeing a big sign informing people of who will be suffering from yakidoshi (year of calamity) in the coming year. Always a few people looking at the thing with gloomy expressions on their faces. :p
(ID #68665) Posted on 2008/01/04 22:03
Director/代表取締役
Makanator, Good that you are still alive ^^; Lostandfound, Had a great time. NPC, Can be bad at times but I just leave it on the desk and its fine. Phenie, No fireworks where I was. Wolfblitz, It is for many offices. Most retail stores open though. I chose to work - too much to do ^^; Dedale, Lord! Rikku, I was disappointed that there was no Miko too. Tragic comedy, The book was great!
(ID #68668) Posted on 2008/01/04 22:36
interesting~ Hope you have a wonderful 2008!
(ID #68701) Posted on 2008/01/05 02:29
vbob in Flo