How the Japanese decorate their homes for the New Year, maybe this is the secret of their well-being.

In Japan, with the advent of the Meiji era, the New Year began to be celebrated according to the Gregorian calendar. In modern Japan, New Year's celebrations start from December 28 to January 4.

What you need to do before the New Year

New Year's Eve chores for the Japanese begin on December 13th. It is on this day that the general cleaning of the house (susubarai) is performed without fail. According to the centuries-old tradition, in this way the house is cleansed of all otherworldly impurities that could prevent the ancestors from visiting their close spirits on New Year's Eve. After cleaning, all the collected garbage must be burned, but this must be done in public.

It was interesting for me that such a tradition, in the opinion of the Japanese, attracts happiness, because it cannot come to the house where evil spirits are present. I would also like to tell you what traditional decorations must be present in the house. The most vivid and memorable traditions for me in preparing housing for the New Year are:

1. When harvesting is complete, a rope made from rice straw is pulled over the front doors. This is a kind of amulet and it is called shimekazari (covering decoration). Thanks to this amulet, dark forces will not be able to get into the house.

2. At the entrance to the house or at the gate, you can find another obligatory amulet. It consists of pine branches, and also fern branches, bamboo stalks cut obliquely, rice straws and tangerines should be present in it. A composition of the designated components is called kadomatsu (pine at the entrance).

3. The decoration of the motibana caught my attention. This is a kind of analogue of a Christmas tree, but created with his own hand. It is made from a piece of bamboo tree, or in festive flowerpots, in which willow branches are placed. And decorate them with flowers, if possible, small fruits and mochi balls (made from glutinous rice). These edible balls should be colored, for example, yellow, green or pink. At the end of the holiday, all family members should eat mochi, but the number of rice balls should correspond to the person's age, or rather, as long as he has already lived full years.

Concluding my story, I would also like to say that I was really surprised by the preparation of the New Year's table. The point is that all dishes are prepared with a sense. That is, each product symbolizes something, namely, it has a secret meaning. For example, buckwheat noodles represent the longevity of family members and are also a symbol of well-being. And maybe this really makes sense, what do you think? I would like to know your opinion.

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