On Faith
Rev. Jiho Machida
Japanese New Year practices
are complex and variedToday, most countries and most people in the world celebrate New Year's Day on the same day by the solar calendar, although there are some time differences. But it is also true that there are many Asian countries that celebrate the New Year's Day based on a traditional lunar calendar.
About 130 years ago, in the 5th year of Meiji (1872) the new government of Japan made the decision to adopt the Gregorian calendar for their official use for better coordination with the western world. Until then, people of Japan followed the lunar calendar in their daily lives. It was rather convenient for people in the ancient days to recognize the day and month visually by looking at the moon.
Of course, the New Year was being celebrated according to the lunar calendar for a long, long time until the beginning of the Meiji period. The government was able to change the calendar system, but was unable to change people's lifestyle all at once. Even today, after more than 100 years, some people in the rural areas of Japan are still cherishing the traditional practices of the lunar New Year, just as the Chinese in Hawaii observe the New Year according to the lunar calendar.
New Year customs in Japan are not necessarily of Buddhist origin. They are rather indigenous to the Japanese people and their ancient traditions. It is an interesting fact to know that in human history, the western world started to celebrate the New Year on the winter solstice, which occurs about Dec. 22. This is considered the origin of the Christmas celebration. Oriental countries, on the other hand, celebrated the New Year on the very first day of spring time — Risshun — which occurs in February. There is about 45 days difference between them.
In the olden days of Japan, the New Year was time to welcome the god of New Year which is said to bring good and bountiful harvest to farmers. The god was called "Toshi Toju Daimyojin" -- God of the New Year.
This god hates Tsumi (crime), Toga (fault) and Kegare (impurity). People cleaned their residence and shrine on Dec. 13 to welcome the New Year god. They prepared a special New Year altar and offered special food. All family members gathered to welcome the New Year god for happiness and safety during the year to come.
This New Year god is a part of ancestral worship. This is the most original pattern of the New Year celebration in Japan and we can relate some resemblance between this tradition and the Bon celebration observed in July.
In modern day Japan, people visit famous Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples on New Year's Day as "hatsu mode" — first visit to shrines and temples. This practice is not an old tradition but rather, a new custom.
"Kadomatsu," an arrangement with evergreen pine and bamboo which is a very popular New Year decoration today, is also not a very old traditional practice. Although it is widespread all over Japan, it is rather a new custom inspired by an elementary school song from the Jeiji era, "Toshino Hajime."
Traditional New Year practices in Japan are rather complex and varied depending on the locality. But people's honest wish in the celebration is simple and clear. It is for happiness and safety, which is a universal value for all people beyond race and religion.
The Rev. Jiho Machida is bishop of Soto Mission of Hawaii and president of the Hawaii Buddhist Council.
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