On the 9th day of Weebsmas 2025, let’s talk about one is the most togetherness holidays of the year. New Year’s. All over the world we celebrate similarly, with fireworks and parties. But if you are there for the end of the year here’s all the things you can look forward to!
Food
Osechi Ryori is one tradition that some people celebrate, it’s not totally uncommon but it is quite a feat to accomplish. Osechi is a list of dishes that are meant to represent good fortune in different areas of life as well as celebration. It’s often presented in a large bento called a Jubako and made to share with family. It has ties to Shintoism and history.
There is also Toshikoshi soba the monumental dish behind, “soba with friends”. It’s all about letting go of hardships, wishing longevity and long life. It’s meant to be eaten on New Year’s Eve.
Kagami mochi is two round mochi cakes with some dried persimmons underneath and some bitter orange on top. It sits upon a sanpo and special paper called Shihobeni that’s made to ward off fires. It is made to symbolize the sun and the moon, ying and yang, or the light and dark of the human heart.
Celebration
Oshogatsu is meant to be spent with family chosen or hereditary. Many gather at large temples to be blessed Hatsumode, Joya no Kane 108 rings of the bells at midnight and watch the Hatsuhinode, the first sunrise of the new year.
Mochitsuki is the act of making mochi! It’s a physically demanding task of turning steamed rice into a thick gooey mound to be shaped into smaller pieces.
Traditions
Decorations usually at places at doors made of pine or matsu that brings long life and prosperity, bamboo or take vitality and growth, and plum or ume branches called Kadomatsu, an altar to Toshigami-sama the god of new year. Then burned in a bon fire called Dondoyaki.
Oosoji is honestly something we should all do haha, it’s the annual cleaning of your home and space. A big deep clean to purify your home for the incoming year.
I nearly forgot all the moving parts! (I’m sure I’m missing some.) Anyways, some of these things wouldn’t be too bad to think about adapting to your own news years celebrations!
AishiteLOVEru~
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