Let's get excited with a New Year quiz! General questions about the Japanese New Year

Keyboard playerSAKI
I’ve been playing the Electone since I was six, mainly performing Disney music, anime songs, and music from dramas and films. I post performance videos on YouTube and social media, and I also give concerts. Building on my Electone experience, I took up synthesizer and piano during my student years and performed at school-sponsored events. As a writer, I’ve covered not only music-related topics but a wide range of genres, so I hope to draw on my experience to deliver articles that make readers think, “I want to try that!” or “I want to listen to that!”
music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and for over 18 years I’ve contributed to music magazines, disc guide books, mooks, and web media. As a writer my main field is Western music, but as a listener for over 35 years, I always try to keep my curiosity alive with the motto “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in bands, where I was a bassist who handled songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve played include bass, guitar, and piano. I began studying English in my mid-40s and continue to do so today.

How much do you know about New Year’s in Japan? Even customs we repeat every year without much thought can be surprising once you learn their background—you’ll find yourself thinking, “So that’s what it means!” In this article, we present general knowledge and trivia about the New Year in a quiz format! It’s packed with facts you might think you know but don’t, such as the meaning of otoshidama envelopes, the sentiments behind osechi cuisine and traditional New Year’s games, and things you shouldn’t do during the New Year period.

Try it out and have fun with family and relatives when you gather together!

Let’s get excited with a New Year’s quiz! General questions about the Japanese New Year (31–40)

What do you paint on the face as a penalty in hanetsuki?

fresh cream
paint
ink

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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.

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moko

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What is the name of the stand that the kagami mochi is placed on?

tray table for serving a meal; individual dining tray (ozen)
sanpō (a Japanese term meaning “three sides/directions”; also a traditional wooden offering stand used in Shinto/Buddhist rituals)
household Shinto altar

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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.

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moko

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What kind of mochi do people put in ozoni in Kagawa Prefecture?

Rice cake filled with sweet red bean paste
Kusa mochi (mugwort rice cake)
kinako mochi

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Rice cake filled with sweet red bean paste

A distinctive feature of Kagawa Prefecture’s ozoni (New Year’s soup) is that it uses a white miso broth with mochi filled with sweet red bean paste. This unusual combination is famous as a unique part of Kagawa’s culture, and many residents eat ozoni in this style during the New Year. The gentle flavor of white miso pairs exquisitely with the sweetness of the red bean paste, which is why it has been loved for many years. Also, since ozoni varies by region in ingredients as well as the shape and seasoning of the mochi, it’s fun to compare the differences found across Japan.

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moko

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What do you call the sun that rises on January 1st?

Dream's Appearance
first sunrise of the year
rising sun

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first sunrise of the year

Hatsuhinode—the first sunrise of the year—is considered auspicious because it marks the year’s very first dawn. In fact, it’s not a custom unique to Japan; did you know that similar traditions exist in countries such as Mongolia, South Korea, Canada, Greenland, Russia, and the United States? Braving the bitter cold from the middle of the night to early morning can be tough, but witnessing it makes for a refreshing start to the year. Give it a try at least once!

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Hoshino Takashi

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What does “dondo” in dondoyaki mean?

Beat the drum more and more.
New Year’s decorations keep burning
It means “congratulations” in a dialect.

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New Year’s decorations keep burning

Dondo-yaki is a ritual where people see off the gods as they depart after the New Year, praying for good health and a bountiful harvest. By burning New Year’s decorations, it signifies the end of the New Year period. Depending on the region, it is also known by other names such as 'Donto' or 'Onibi-taki'.

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mutō

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