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

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.

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.”

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.

the morning of January 1

Has anyone ever thought about when exactly Gantan is? Ganjitsu refers to the entire day of January 1st, but Gantan is said to refer to the morning of January 1st. This is because the kanji 旦 depicts the sun rising. Therefore, the phrase “the morning of Gantan” is considered incorrect usage.

orange

Because it’s grouped under citrus, it’s sometimes mistaken for a mandarin orange, but the fruit placed on top of a kagami mochi is, strictly speaking, a daidai (bitter orange). Since the tree bears new fruit year after year without shedding the fruit from previous years, it’s used as a good-luck decoration with the wish that the family will prosper for generations (“daidai” also echoes the phrase meaning ‘generation after generation’).

Thailand

They say Thailand has New Year three times a year. The three are: the New Year on January 1 according to the Gregorian calendar, the Lunar New Year known as Spring Festival in Chinese-speaking regions, and Songkran in April, which is Thailand’s traditional New Year. By the way, it’s said that Okinawa also has New Year three times a year. Okinawa’s third New Year is celebrated in the afterlife, reflecting the importance placed on honoring one’s ancestors.

217.1km

Among student long-distance ekiden races, the Hakone Ekiden boasts the longest distance at an astonishing 217.1 kilometers! In the Hakone Ekiden, teams compete by passing the sash across a total of 10 sections: five sections covering 107.5 kilometers on the outbound route and five sections covering 109.6 kilometers on the return route.

As many times as you like.

Because omikuji are considered words received from the gods, drawing one repeatedly is seen as doubting the gods and thus disrespectful. However, if you tie your omikuji at the designated spot on the shrine grounds to reset it, there is no problem with drawing another one on a different day.

Improved financial luck

Some of you probably love the gently sweet kuri-kinton found in New Year’s osechi cuisine. The name kuri-kinton can also be read as “kinton,” meaning a golden dumpling, and it’s eaten to pray for good fortune and success. The golden-glittering sweet potato and the chestnuts inside are called “kachi-guri,” symbolizing victory in contests. Turns out it’s quite an assertive, go-getter of a dish!