[For Seniors] Introducing Trivia Quizzes and Fun Facts About December

108 times

Joya no Kane is one of Japan’s traditional year-end customs, in which temple bells are typically rung 108 times. The number 108 is said to represent the human worldly desires, and with each toll of the bell, one is believed to cast off these desires and welcome the New Year with a pure heart. Hearing the bell’s sound brings a sense of calm, letting people feel both the year’s end and a new beginning—an expression of Japan’s uniquely warm culture.

Chimney

Santa Claus is traditionally said to enter homes through the chimney, a custom that originates from the actions of Saint Nicholas, his model. Upon learning about a poor family, Nicholas is said to have thrown gold coins down their chimney at midnight, which then landed in the stockings hung by the fireplace.

December 12

The “Kanji of the Year” is a single character that symbolizes the year, selected through a nationwide public poll conducted by the Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation since 1995, and announced each year on December 12 at Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto. This date is designated as “Kanji Day,” based on a wordplay reading of 12-12 as “ii ji ichiji” (a good character, one character). The chosen kanji is boldly brushed onto a large sheet of Japanese paper by the chief priest of Kiyomizu-dera. Through this event, people are given an opportunity to reflect on the social climate and events of the year.

Rudolf

The red-nosed reindeer’s name is Rudolph. In English, he’s known as “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” originating from a 1939 picture book, and later a Christmas song was created, making him beloved around the world. Among Santa Claus’s nine reindeer, only Rudolph has a red nose, and he plays an important role guiding Santa’s sleigh with his shining nose even on dark nights. In Japan, he’s also very well known as “Akabana no Tonakai” (the Red-Nosed Reindeer).

grow horns

Among deer species, only males grow antlers, but in reindeer, females also have antlers. Male antlers are said to help in fighting and attracting females, while female antlers are thought to help them dig through snow to find food.

Hoh, hoh, hoh!

Santa Claus’s laugh has a hearty image, doesn’t it? Around the world it’s rendered as “Ho Ho Ho!” In Japanese, it would be expressed as “Hou hou hou!” Hearing Santa’s laugh can lift your spirits, so it might be nice to try laughing along with him.

Taneo Naito

Tokyo Tower was designed by Tachu Naito. He is known for designing many towers, including Nagoya TV Tower and Tokyo Tower, and worked on numerous steel tower projects. He is often called the “Doctor of Towers” and the “Father of Earthquake-Resistant Structures.”