There are only a few days left in 2023, and the new year is approaching. December 13th is the busy day of December, but in many regions, December 13th is called “Shogatsu-ji Hajime” and is used as the day to prepare for the New Year.
We asked the chief priest of a shrine in Tokyo, built in the early Heian period, to tell us about the origin of this day being designated as the beginning of the New Year, and what specific “events” are held.
An auspicious day to start preparing for the new year
What is the origin of the beginning of the New Year?
“The beginning of the New Year is a day when people clean and prepare to welcome the New Year God, who descends to bring good fortune in the new year.Almost all over Japan, shrines, temples, and households prepare their homes. etc. is widely practiced.
In some regions, this day is celebrated as New Year’s Day, and is called Kotohajime, Ekokohajime, Matsunarashi, etc.” (Mr. Chief Priest)
Why was December 13th designated as the first day of the New Year?
“Of the “28 inns” that were used in the creation of the calendar in ancient China, the “kishu kubi” is a lucky day that comes every 28 days. ” It seems to have originated from this.
Onishukuhi means the day when demons stay in their inn (their home) and do not go out, and it was considered a good day to start all events except weddings. Therefore, the custom of starting preparations for the New Year on Onishuku Day in December arose.
This tradition has been established since the Edo period, and even after the lunar calendar was replaced by the new solar calendar in 1872, the tradition of “New Year’s events begin on December 13th” remained and continues to this day.
Preparations for the New Year begin on December 13th and are expected to be completed by the 28th at the latest. Avoiding the 29th is because the reading of 29 means “double pain”. Also, preparing on the 31st is said to be a “one-night decoration” and is thought to be hastily made, lack sincerity, and be disrespectful to the god of the year.” (Mr. Chief Priest)
Holding events to remove soot and welcome the pine tree
What kind of specific events are held at the beginning of the New Year?
“The most familiar one is “soot removal.” Once a year, usually on December 13th, newspapers and news programs report that soot removal is carried out at shrines and temples all over the country. I believe that many families are cleaning their Shinto altars and Buddhist altars, and doing some deep cleaning at the same time.
The procedure for removing soot in Shintoism is to make a tool by attaching leaves or straw to the tip of a bamboo tree that has been cut in advance, and use it to first use a Shinto altar, then a Kamadogami, also known as a Kojinsama. Thoroughly clean the kitchen and then each room.
In some regions, this tool is called “Kiyometake,” and sootwagi has the meaning of purification as well as cleaning.
There is also a custom of eating rice cakes and dumplings on the night after clearing the soot, as part of the soot-clearing celebration. In some regions, used purification bamboo is not disposed of immediately, but instead is burnt during the “Oboniage” ceremony during the Sagicho (fire festival held around January 15th) during the Small New Year.” (Mr. Chief Priest)
Are there any other events other than soot cleaning?
“There are areas where there is a “pine pickle” event in which pine trees are cut down from the mountain to be used as New Year’s decorations, and where people go up to the mountains to carry festivals to welcome the god of the year. Yes, people go into the mountains to collect firewood for making zoni and osechi dishes.
The “Toshio” who is the same as the zodiac sign of the year in which the new year was born plays the role of welcoming the pine tree, and climbs the mountain in the direction of Eho (the direction of the god who controls the virtues of the new year, which varies depending on the year) and begins the New Year’s events. There are some regions where only older men are in charge of various events.
Originally, the word “noshio” meant a man who was in charge of starting the New Year’s events, regardless of the zodiac sign of his year of birth, and it is said that this role was mainly played by the head of the family.” (Mr. Chief Priest)
The beginning of the New Year on December 13th has an ancient origin and deep meaning. Don’t put it off due to the busyness of December, start working on it from this day and welcome the new year with a rich heart, not only for the god of the year who brings good fortune, but also for yourself and your family.
Reference materials etc.
2023-12-12 20:01:00
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