Omisoka, December 31st
Omisoka is held on New Year's Eve each year. It is when everybody prepares for the new year. Many people do this by having a big cleaning to remove dirt and clutter from the old year and so that they are ready for a fresh start. Once all the cleaning is done, people put decorations out on display. At 11pm, everyone has a bowl of toshikoshi soba as the last meal of the year. At midnight, a bell is rung in the temples to signify the new year. There is also a national broadcast of the red vs white singing contest up until 11:30. This is the second most important day in Japanese tradition because it is the final day of the old year and the eve of New Years Day which is the most important day of the year.
by Georgia Omisoka is the celebration of the Japanese New Year. People eat toshikoshi-soba at 11:00pm. They also clean all they own home from top to bottom to get rid of last year’s dirt. At the temples, the priests ring the temple bell 108 times. Some people go out to parties and some go to temples or shrines and drink a sweet drink called Amazake. They have red vs white singing contest where contestants compete against each for half an hour before midnight. A lot of food is cooked on the last dayof the year because it is believed that if you cooked in your house over the New Year period, it will bring bad luck. Omisoka is just like New Years Eve.
by Alex |