The three-day period from January first (Gantan) until the third is what
we define as the “New Year.” We celebrate the end of a safe year and the
fortune of being able to welcome a fresh year by decorating special ornaments（Shimenawa）,
eating New Year’s food (Osechi ryori), and enjoying particular events.
I would like to introduce Nengajo, (New Year’s cards,) Kakizome, and Kagami-biraki.
New Year’s cards are sent to people
you wish to thank and say things such as, “I am ever so grateful for your help.
Wishing you a Happy New Year.” If you post these cards around December 15-25,
they will reach the people you wrote to on January 1. Incidentally, it is
customary not to give the cards to people if a member of their family has passed
away this year. These New Year’s cards are available at the post office in
November, so why don’t you send the words of gratitude?
Kakizome is practicing calligraphy at the beginning of the year (traditionally
on January 2). Originally, it was an event in the palace, but it
was popularized in the Edo period and has spread widely among the common
people. At school, when the winter break ends, it is normal for students
to do Kakizome. There are large gatherings for producing the first calligraphy
of the New Year. To do it, you’ll need a writing brush, Chinese ink, suzuri
(an ink stone) and more. All of these items are sold as a calligraphy kit,
and you can purchase it at a big stationery store.
Kagami-biraki is a celebratory event in which you take down the Kagami-mochi
(a set of special round flat rice cakes) you have been displaying and eat
it. You can get Kagami-mochi at a supermarket after Christmas and display
it on December 28 and stack each circular flat cake on top of each other,
placing them on tokonoma, (the alcove) or kamidana, (the household Shinto
alter). On January 11, you retrieve the rice cakes that have been displayed
in to break them into bite-sized pieces and eat in zoni, a special New
Year’s soup or shiruko, a sweet red bean soup. Depending on the area you
live in, the date of Kagami-biraki may differ. However, the custom is the
same, and if you would like to get a taste of this occasion, you are encouraged
to buy Kagami-mochi and present it.