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Kadomatsu and the flag
We put a set of Kadomatsu at
our front door.
Gardeners made Kadomatsu for us on the last
day of the year.
They use bamboo, pine, plum, orange, etc.
This is to welcome the new year into our
door.
We raise the National Flag too. |
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Shimenawa
Above the front door, we hang this.
It is made with straw, and some
decorations.
This is to purify the house. |
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Kagamimochi
Inside the house, we decorate
it.
These are big rice cakes, with decorations
as good luck charms.
This is to wish prosperity, health and happiness
for us all.. |
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Otoso
In the new year morning, all the family members
gather and say "Akemashite Omedetou
Gozaimasu" to each other. And we drink
Otoso, that is a kind of herb-sake. This
is to wish health and long life to each other. |
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Otoshidama
This is a gift of money which
elder people
give to their juniors at Oshogatsu.
We use a small envelope to put
the money
in.
Children are most happy with much money.
Mothers teach their kids to say,
"Akemashite
Omedetou Gozaimasu" to elder
relatives,
and then , if kids get Otoshidama,
they should
say "Arigatou Gozaimasu".
Some kids get confused, and say, "Arigatou
Gozaimasu" even before the seniors hand
out Otoshidama.
Mom is embarrassed! |
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Osechi Ryori
The wooden, lacquered boxes are called Jyubako.
In Jyubako, there are many kinds of new year
cuisines, Osechi Ryori.
Housewives are busy preparing Osechi Ryori
two or three days before New year. And for
the first three days of the new year, wives
do not do much cooking.
We used to eat Osechi Ryori for two or three
days in the new year. But these days, restaurants
are open even on January 1.
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Kimono
Ayano Kihara, age 3, is so happy in her new
Kimono.
Her sister Ruka, age 2, will get her Kimono
next year. |
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Koma Mawashi
Boys' game at Oshogatsu.
Koma is Japanese top. |
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Hanetsuki
Girls' game at Oshogatsu.
Hagoita is the racket with beautiful pictures.
Hane is a tiny ball with feathers.
We hit Hane with the Hagoita.
It is like badminton. |
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Takoage
Kites are also games of boys and fathers. |
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Karuta
Japanese card games.
To win the game, you have to memorize 100
Tanka poems of many hundred years ago. |
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Sanjya-mairi
Going to three shrines in a day.
Or you can go to three Buddhism temples.
To pray for the safety and happiness of all
the family members. |
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Onjya-Onjya at Karatsu Tenmangu Shrine
On the night of January 7, Karatsu
Tenmangu
Shrine holds the traditional
event called
Onjya-Onjya.
We burn our Shimenawas, Kadomatsus,
and the
decorations of Kagamimochi.
Fire purifies everything, and we will be
safe all this year. |
