日本の年間行事

正月・豆まき・ひな祭り・鯉のぼり・七夕・お盆・七五三・大晦日

正月

Definition

Shogatsu originally meant the first month in the lunar calendar, but now it refers to the first three days, seven days, or sometimes fifteen days of the new year. This period is very important as it marks the beginning of the new year. Therefore, the customs and events on New Year’s Day should be auspicious, to pray for blessings in the coming year.

Origin

Shogatsu began as an event to welcome Toshigamisama, a god who was believed to come from the mountains to the house on the first morning of the year to guard the family. It was necessary to welcome this god with proper manners, which led to the distinctive customs observed only during this period.

Greeting Words

Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu. It literally means “Congratulations on the beginning of the new year.” When you meet someone, even a family member, for the first time in the new year, you should use this greeting. This phrase is often used for New Year’s Day greeting cards, too.

Events and Customs

  Kadomatsu

This is a pair of pine ornaments placed in front of the entrance for New Year’s Day. Often, bamboo is added to this. These are meant to be small signposts to guide Toshigami to the house.

  Kagamimochi

This literally means “mirror rice cake.” A pair of round, flat rice cakes like mirrors, one small and one big, are placed on top of each other in the Buddhist or Shinto altar. An orange and other auspicious items are often placed with the cakes. This is where Toshigami dwells after coming to the house.

  Hatsu-Hinode

The sunrise on the first of January is considered very auspicious, and people get up early to pray to the sun. Some go up to the mountaintop on the night of the 31st of December and wait there for the sun to rise. This sunrise seen from the mountaintop is called “Goraiko,” meaning “the holy light that comes.” 

  Hatsu-Mode

It is the custom to visit a Shinto shrine or Buddhist temple on New Year’s Day to pray for a happy new year. During this period, these holy places are crowded with thousands of people. This scenery is one of the features of Shogatsu in Japan.

  Nengajo

New Year’s cards for Japanese people are sent to relatives, colleagues, and friends. In many cases, it is a once-a-year greeting to someone who hasn’t been in touch for the whole year. New Year’s greeting cards sold in post offices often include a lottery.

  Otoshidana

It is customary for an adult to give a small amount of money to children on New Year’s Day. It is given to them in a small envelope called “Pochi-bukuro.” For children, receiving these envelopes is the biggest event they have been waiting for all year.

  Zoni

Zoni is a soup with one or two pieces of rice cake eaten on New Year’s Day. The rice cake is made before the beginning of the year as an offering to Toshigami. The taste and ingredients differ from region to region.

  Osechi

Osechi is a set of dishes eaten on New Year’s Day. Osechi originally means an important seasonal day to celebrate. It is made up of many kinds of food, packed in a layered box. As a New Year’s Day dish, each food has a meaning to wish for blessings for the family. See these below.

 Kuromame: Black beans simmered with sweet taste. Mame as in kuromame means “beans,” but it also means “diligent.” Kuro means “black or dark.” So, this food implies “Work diligently until you get suntanned dark.”

Kazunoko: Herring roe, salted. The image of many eggs is associated with “a lot of children,” or “descendants’ prosperity.”

 Tazukuri: Baby sardines, simmered. Tazukuri literally means “cultivation of rice fields.” Sardines were used to fertilize the fields. This food symbolizes the wish for a good harvest.

 Tatakigobo: Burdock, cut into strips. Burdock, or gobo, is a kind of root vegetable. This food implies “The family or business takes root, that is, flourishes.”

 Kamaboko: Fish cake. It is shaped like a half-moon in red and white. This half-moon shape is associated with Hatsuhinode, the first sunrise. In Japan, the combination of red and white is very auspicious.

 Datemaki: Soft, sweet rolled egg. Date in datemaki means “a man of style.” Maki means “rolled.” The rolled shape is associated with scrolls, which were used by Buddhist monks for learning. So, this food symbolizes the wish to be a person of style and learning. 

 Kurikinnton: Sweetened chestnuts and sweet potato paste. This food’s golden color symbolizes the wish to be wealthy.

 Konbu-maki: Rolled konbu seaweed simmered. The word “Konbu” sounds like “Yorokobu,” meaning “being happy,” so konbu seaweed is considered an auspicious food.

 Nishiki-tamago: The yellow and white egg dish. You separate the yolk and white, sieve them, and steam each separately. Yellow represents “gold” and white represents “silver.” When these two are put together, one on top of the other, they resemble a silk cloth, which is called Nishiki in Japanese.

 Tai:  Red snapper or sea bream. This fish is often used for celebratory occasions. The word “Tai” is part of the word “Omede-tai,” which means “Congratulations.” Tai is an auspicious fish in Japan.

 Buri: Yellowtail fish grilled in teriyaki sauce. This fish changes names as it grows larger. It is a symbol of career advancement.

 Ebi: Shrimp or prawn. When boiled, shrimp curl their bodies, resembling an aged person with a rounded back. Therefore, this dish symbolizes longevity, as in “I hope to live long until my back gets curved.”

 Hamaguri: Clam. The image of two matched shells symbolizes a good relationship. Specifically, it represents a wish for a happy marriage for girls.

 Kohaku-namasu: Sliced daikon radish and carrot in vinegar. The combination of white and red colors is auspicious, and both are root vegetables, implying the wish for something to take root.

 Su-renkon: Vinegared lotus root. Lotus roots have several straight holes through which you can see. This symbolizes “seeing your bright future through the root.”

 Kikuhana-kabu: Turnip shaped like a chrysanthemum. This flower itself is auspicious and is often used for celebrations.

 Chikuzen-ni: Various ingredients simmered together. Simmering many ingredients in a pot is associated with the image of “family living happily together.”

 Tazuna-kon-nyaku:Twisted konjac resembling a rein. This knotted image implies a good marriage life.

 Kuwai: Kuwai arrowhead. Shoots from kuwai represent “shooting for a bright future,” and the head part looks like a turtle, which is an auspicious animal believed to live for ten thousand years.

 Satoimo:Taro. It grows many small secondary potatoes, symbolizing the wish to have many children.

Takenoko: Bamboo shoots. Bamboos grow fast and straight to the sky. They symbolize career advancement or healthy growth.

上へ

豆まき

On February 3rd, Setsubun Day, it is customary to throw beans inside the house while saying, “Oni-wa-soto, Fuku-wa-uchi,” to drive away evil.

Setsubun is the day before the beginning of a new season in the lunar calendar, but now it refers only to February 3rd. It was traditionally a day for rituals to ward off evil spirits, which were believed to appear during seasonal changes. A typical ritual was “Tsuina,” performed in the imperial court in ancient times to drive away Oni monsters.

Oni appear in many folktales as evil creatures that cause diseases and disasters. They typically have one or two horns on their heads and wear tiger-striped loincloths. Beans, primarily soybeans, are used to drive Oni away because they are believed to possess great spiritual power. This connection is reinforced by the Japanese word for bean, “mame,” which can be written with the characters for “destroying evil” (魔滅).

In some families, one member plays the role of the oni by wearing an oni mask, and the others throw beans at them. However, the more common practice is to throw the beans without anyone playing the oni. In any case, while throwing the beans, you should say, “Oni-wa-soto, Fuku-wa-uchi,” which means “Out with demons, in with luck!”

After throwing the beans, you should pick them up from the floor and eat a number equal to your age.

Some families also place a sardine head with a holly sprig attached at the entrance on this day, as oni are said to dislike the smell of sardines and the prickly leaves of holly.

Also on that day, it is customary to eat a special, uncut sushi roll called “Ehomaki” while facing that year’s lucky direction, known as “Ehou.”

上へ

ひな祭り

Momono Sekku

There are five seasonal festival days (Go-Sekku) in a year. These are the days when the month and day are the same odd number, such as 1/1 (January 1st), 3/3, 5/5, 7/7, and 9/9. March 3rd was first called “Joshi,” but later came to be known as “Momo no Sekku,” the Peach Festival, because peach trees bloom beautifully at that time of year. The day is also celebrated because peaches were considered sacred plants with the power to ward off evil spirits. Eventually, it became a day to pray for the healthy growth and happiness of girls.

Hina Dolls Play

“Hina” was a word meaning “cute” or “small” in the Heian period. At that time, girls in the imperial court often played with dolls, which were handmade from paper. This was called “Hina-asobi” (Hina play). Later, around the Edo period, families began to display these dolls in homes with young girls. Over time, the displays became increasingly elaborate.

The display of the dolls

The largest display is composed of seven tiers covered with red cloth.

Smaller displays may consist of five tiers, three tiers, or only one.

The display is typically set up after the middle of February and should be put away soon after March 3rd.

The position of the emperor doll (obina) and the empress doll (mebina)

Normally, the Obina (male doll) is placed on the right (facing left) and the Mebina (female doll) on the left (facing right) from the viewer’s perspective. However, in Kyoto, the positions are reversed. This is because Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan, preserves the traditions of the imperial court, where the left side was considered more prestigious than the right.

Kyoto Style

The food and drink special for Doll’s Day

Clam clear soup, Hishi mochi (rice cakes in a diamond shape), Hinaarare (crackers made from broken pieces of hishi mochi), Chirashi-zushi (sushi rice sprinkled with ingredients like egg, shrimp, and vegetables), and sweet sake.

Clam Soup

上へ

鯉のぼり

Tango no Sekku

May 5th is known as “Tango no Sekku,” which is a traditional annual event to celebrate the healthy growth of boys. On this day, people display Gogatsu Ningyo (May dolls) and koinobori (carp streamers), eat chimaki (steamed rice buns wrapped in a bamboo leaf) and kashiwamochi (rice cake wrapped in a kashiwa leaf with sweet red bean paste), and take a shobu (iris) bath.

This sekku for boys originated in the Edo period. The Tokugawa Shogunate designated it as an important day on which the lords of domains and hatamoto (the shogun’s retainers) were to come to Edo Castle to present offerings to the shogun. The birth of a shogunal heir was celebrated by hoisting the family’s banner or battle standard. This samurai tradition later spread to commoners, who began displaying carp streamers.

Koinobori, Carp Streamers

A tall pole is erected in the garden of a family with one or more young boys. From this pole are hung three differently-sized carp streamers, with the largest at the top and the smallest at the bottom. The traditional colors are black, red, and blue, in that order from the top. Above the carp hangs a set of five long, colorful streamers called a “fukinagashi.”

When a family has no garden or prefers a smaller display, a miniature koinobori is often placed inside the house or on a balcony.

The Origin of Koinobori

The tradition originates from a Chinese legend. It tells of a place in the upper reaches of the Yellow River where a powerful rapid known as “Ryumon,” or “Dragon Gate,” was located. It was believed that any carp strong enough to swim up this rapid would be transformed into a dragon. This legend established the carp as a symbol of advancement and success. The name “Koinobori” literally means “Carp Streamer,” representing the family’s wish for their sons to overcome all obstacles and achieve greatness in life.

Fukinagashi

Fukinagashi is a set of five long, colorful streamers. Hung above the carp streamers, they act as a talisman to protect the children. The five colors are derived from the ancient Chinese theory of the “Five Elements” and are blue, red, yellow, white, and black.

Other Things Related to Tango no Sekku

May Dolls

“May Dolls” refer to miniature suits of samurai armor and helmets displayed on this day. They represent the family’s wish for their sons to grow up strong and courageous, like the samurai heroes of old.

 Iris 

The Japanese word for iris, “shobu,” is a homophone for the words meaning “battle” or “contest.” Because of this, the iris became an auspicious plant for samurai. The leaves and flowers are used decoratively in vases, hung from the eaves, or placed in bathwater.

 Chimaki

Chimaki is a steamed dumpling made from rice flour and wrapped in a bamboo leaf, characteristically shaped into a long cone. The custom of eating chimaki on this day originates from a Chinese legend. According to the story, the great poet and warrior Qu Yuan drowned himself in the Miluo River on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. The grieving people, who admired him, began throwing packets of rice wrapped in bamboo leaves into the river as a memorial offering. They used the bamboo leaves to prevent a dragon from eating the rice before it could reach Qu Yuan’s spirit, as dragons were said to dislike the scent of bamboo.

 Kashiwa-mochi

“Kashiwa” means “oak.” Kashiwa leaves were traditionally believed to be sacred vessels for holding food offerings to the deities. Because the oak tree does not shed its old leaves until new buds have sprouted, it has become a symbol of a family line’s continuous prosperity—ensuring that a new heir is born before the patriarch passes away. For this reason, the rice cake filled with sweet red bean paste and wrapped in a kashiwa leaf is considered a highly auspicious food.

上へ

七夕

Tanabata is celebrated on the night of July 7th, when Orihime and Hikoboshi are said to cross the Milky Way to reunite once a year. We celebrate by writing wishes on small strips of paper (tanzaku) and hanging them on decorated bamboo branches as a prayer.

The Tanabata legend goes like this:

Orihime, the daughter of the Heavenly King, was a diligent weaver. She met Hikoboshi, a hardworking cowherd, and they fell in love at first sight. After they married, however, they became so engrossed in each other that they neglected their duties. Angered, the Heavenly King separated them, placing them on opposite sides of the Heavenly River (the Milky Way). Orihime was so heartbroken that her father took pity on them and decreed they could meet once a year, on the night of July 7th.

上へ

お盆

Obon

Obon is a traditional annual event held from August 13th to 16th (though the dates vary by region) to honor the souls of one’s ancestors.

It is believed that the souls of deceased ancestors return to this world from the Pure Land during this period. Families welcome their spirits back to their former homes, spend time with them, and send them off so they can return to the Pure Land satisfied.

Origin

Its origin is thought to come from two sources. The first is that many regions in Japan had summer rituals to honor ancestral souls. The second is based on a Buddhist legend.

The story tells of a disciple of Buddha who asked for his help because his mother was suffering in the Realm of Hungry Ghosts. Buddha instructed him to make offerings to the monastic community on the fifteenth day of the seventh month (according to the lunar calendar). After the disciple performed this ritual, his mother was released from her suffering and attained liberation.

This day of offering became known as “Ullambana” (a Sanskrit word meaning “to hang upside down,” describing the extreme suffering). In Japan, this word eventually evolved into “Obon.” The observance was adapted to the solar calendar and is now primarily held from August 13th to 16th.

 Procedure

Before Obon

People make several preparations for the Obon period. A temporary altar, called a Shouryou-dana, is set up. The family’s Buddhist altar is also specially decorated with offerings such as incense, flowers, and seasonal fruits, and special Obon lanternsare placed. If a family has lost a member within the past year, they place a white paper lantern to guide that soul.

On the 13th

This is the day when people welcome the ancestral souls in the evening by lighting a welcoming fire (known as mukae-bi) or lanterns to guide them home.

On the 14th and 15th

A Buddhist memorial service is held, which all family members attend together.

On the 16th

People light a ceremonial bonfire to send off the souls of their ancestors.

Bon Dance

The entire community welcomes the ancestral spirits with a traditional dance known as Bon Odori. Participants move in synchronized steps to the music of drums and flutes, typically circling in a line around a tall central stage called a yagura, where the musicians and singers perform.

Over time, this ritual has also evolved into a beloved summer festival for people of all ages to enjoy. Some of these events are massive, attracting thousands of participants.

Cucumber Horse and Eggplant Cow

Some families make a horse from a cucumber and a cow from an eggplant. These are meant to serve as vehicles for the ancestors’ spirits: the swift horse helps them return quickly to the Pure Land, while the slow, gentle cow carries their belongings for the journey.

上へ

七五三

Shichi-Go-San: How and When

Shichi-Go-San is a traditional Japanese rite of passage celebrated on November 15th* to give thanks for the healthy growth of children. Parents take their children to a Shinto shrine when they reach the designated ages: girls at three and seven, and boys at three and five.

Nowadays, families often visit the shrine on a nearby weekend or another auspicious day in October or November for convenience. During this season, it’s common to see children dressed in beautiful formal wear—such as kimonos—accompanying their families to shrines for the celebration.

Origin

In ancient times, when medical science was underdeveloped, it was rare for children to survive until the age of seven. Because of this, rituals began in the imperial court to pray for their healthy growth and longevity.

These rituals were:

In the 19th century, during the Meiji period, these three distinct rituals were unified into the single ceremony we know today as Shichi-Go-San.

Chitose-ame

For the Shichi-Go-San ceremony, Chitose-ame is sold in shops along the approach to the shrine. The candy comes in a special, colorfully illustrated paper bag containing long, red and white candy sticks. This ame is made by kneading sweet syrup into a long, slender form. The name is highly symbolic: “Chitose” means “a thousand years,” and the candy’s stretchy, resilient nature represents a wish for the child to have a long and healthy life, making it a powerful and auspicious gift for the celebration.

Kazoedoshi

The ages of seven, five, and three for the Shichi-Go-San ceremony are based on the traditional Japanese age system called ‘Kazoedoshi.’ In this system, a child is considered one year old at birth, and everyone gains a year on each New Year’s Day (according to the lunar calendar in the past), rather than on their individual birthdays. This method of counting is typically used for Shinto rituals that mark specific ages, such as Shichi-Go-San and Yakudoshi (the unlucky ages).

上へ

大晦日

Ōmisoka refers to December 31st every year, the final day of the year. This day is considered a special occasion to conclude the passing year while preparing to welcome the Toshigami-sama (New Year’s deity).

The main meaning, origin, and events are as follows:

Meaning and Origin

Traditional Events and Customs

While various customs exist depending on the region and household, typical traditions on Ōmisoka include:

In modern times, it is common to spend the time watching New Year’s Eve TV programs with family and friends, or quietly reflecting on the past year.

上へ