General knowledge quiz time! From trivia to questions about Japan and the world

Academic achievement

Datemaki, which resembles a scroll in appearance, is associated with old books and scrolls and thus carries wishes for academic success and increased knowledge. It is especially eaten at the start of the year with hopes for improving studies and learning new things. For that reason, it is a particularly valued dish in households with children or students.

sanpō (a Japanese term meaning “three sides/directions”; also a traditional wooden offering stand used in Shinto/Buddhist rituals)

A sanpō is a stand used in traditional Japanese ceremonies and Shinto rituals, and during the New Year it is used to hold kagami mochi. It is a wooden, square-shaped stand characterized by openings on three of its sides, with the remaining side facing the altar. Offering kagami mochi on a sanpō to the deities expresses gratitude and wishes. It is an essential New Year decoration and an important item that conveys Japanese culture and customs.

the morning of January 1

The word “Gantan” refers to the morning of New Year’s Day and, strictly speaking, means the morning of January 1. It is often confused with “Ganjitsu” (New Year’s Day), but because the character “旦” in “Gantan” denotes morning, it originally refers not just to the date but to the morning hours. This reflects a Japanese custom that cherishes the special time of the morning on the first day of the new year, welcomed after staying up through New Year’s Eve.

A wish for layers of good fortune and auspiciousness to overlap

Stacking osechi dishes in layered jubako boxes carries the wish that good fortune and auspiciousness will come in many layers. In traditional Japanese culture, “layering” itself holds meaning, embodying the hope that a family’s happiness and prosperity will continue in multiple layers. For this reason, the practice has been passed down not only for visual beauty and preservation, but as a distinctly Japanese custom that values auspiciousness.

udon

The noodles considered good to eat during the New Year are udon. In some regions, there is a custom of eating udon for good luck alongside ozoni and osechi dishes. In places like Kagawa Prefecture, there is a tradition called “Toshiake Udon” (New Year’s Udon), where people eat white udon at the start of the year to pray for good fortune and longevity. It carries the meaning of wishing for a year free of illness and for the health of one’s family, making it a festive addition to the New Year’s table.

As many times as you like

Omikuji are fortune-telling slips drawn at shrines and temples, and there’s basically no set limit on how many times you can draw one. Even if you don’t like the result you got the first time, drawing again isn’t considered rude. However, it’s generally recommended to avoid drawing repeatedly in quick succession for the sake of good manners. The idea that “you can draw omikuji as many times as you like” exists because there’s no official rule. What’s important is not to get too carried away by the result and to welcome the New Year with a positive mindset.

ink

Hanetsuki is one of Japan’s traditional New Year’s games. There has also long been a custom that, as a penalty for losing at hanetsuki, you paint the loser’s face with ink. Black is considered a color that demons dislike, and this practice arose with the meaning of warding off evil. Painting ink on the face creates laughter and lets people enjoy the uniquely relaxed atmosphere of the New Year. It’s a fun custom that has been loved by both children and adults since long ago.