[For Kids] January Trivia Quiz & Fun Facts: Learn About the New Year in a Fun Way

A wish to layer blessings and good fortune

An o-jū is also called a jūbako. Jūbako are something you only see on special days like the Doll’s Festival or Boys’ Festival. In Japanese class we also learned the expression “to pick at the corners of a jūbako” (to nitpick). A jūbako carries the meaning of “piling up auspicious events,” which seems to be a concept unique to the East Asian region. Come to think of it, I’ve never seen an American version of a jūbako.

Mutsuki (the first month of the traditional Japanese calendar)

In the traditional lunar calendar, January is called “Mutsuki.” It is said to derive from expressions such as “mutsubi-tsuki” (written with characters meaning “affection” or “harmonious relations”), reflecting the affectionate atmosphere of relatives gathering for the New Year, and “mutsuki” (written with the character for “fruit” or “grain”), referring to the month when rice grains are first soaked in water.

Ward off a child's misfortune

The shuttlecocks used in hanetsuki are made with soapberry seeds. Soapberry is written with characters meaning “child without illness,” expressing the wish for children to stay healthy. There are two types of hanetsuki: agehane, played solo, and oibane, played by two people.

right-winding

Datemaki (sweet rolled omelet) included in New Year’s osechi is considered more auspicious when rolled to the right. The right-rolling shape is said to represent yang energy, and following the yin-yang concept, it should be rolled to the right and arranged in the jubako (stacked boxes) in a way that forms the shape of the hiragana character “の.”

Little New Year

We now use a calendar based on the sun, but in the past people counted months and days based on the moon. That’s why the first full moon of the year was considered very auspicious, and the Little New Year was established. By the way, New Year’s Day is called the “Great New Year,” but do you know anyone around you who actually says that?

January 15

It’s said that this New Year’s greeting is used during the period called “Matsu-no-uchi,” when kadomatsu and pine decorations are displayed to welcome the local tutelary deity. The timing can vary by region, but since Kansai observes it through the 15th, many people seem to follow that schedule.

small doll

In France, Galette des Rois is considered an essential New Year’s pastry. It consists of puff pastry filled with almond cream, and if the slice you eat contains a small figurine, you get to be king for the day—making it a delicious and fun treat.