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.

kite flying

During the Edo period, there was a time when kite flying was banned. This was because the growing number of people flying kites led to frequent accidents, such as injuries to passersby caused by kite strings and kites getting entangled with houses or power lines. Social issues were also noted, including people becoming so absorbed in play that they neglected work or study, and kite flying becoming a form of gambling. For these reasons, especially in the densely populated city of Edo, the shogunate prohibited kite flying.

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.

New Year’s courtesy visits

“New Year’s visits” (toshikoshi/nen-shi mawari) is a traditional Japanese custom of going from house to house during the New Year to greet relatives, acquaintances, and colleagues. It is an important practice for expressing gratitude to those who have helped you and conveying your hopes for continued goodwill in the coming year, and it has been observed across Japan since long ago. This custom also plays a role in strengthening personal connections.

China

Kite flying is believed to have originated in ancient China. In China, kites made by stretching paper or silk over wooden frames existed as early as the pre-Qin era, and they were used for various purposes, including military applications and entertainment. Kites eventually spread across Asia, including Japan, where they developed uniquely in each region. The custom of flying kites during the Japanese New Year is rooted in cultural influences that came from China.

rice cake (mochi)

Otoshidama is said to have originated from the custom of sharing with family members and children, at the start of the year, rice cakes that were originally offerings to the Toshigami (the New Year deity). By dividing and sharing the mochi, which was believed to be imbued with the deity’s spirit, people expressed wishes for a year of health and happiness. Over time, the custom shifted from giving mochi to giving money, becoming the modern otoshidama.

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.

herring

Kazunoko is herring roe. The kazunoko used in osechi cuisine is considered an auspicious food that symbolizes wishes for fertility and family prosperity, making it an essential ingredient for the Japanese New Year. Because herrings lay a large number of eggs, their roe, kazunoko, is eaten with the hope of being blessed with many children. Its popping texture is also distinctive, and it has long been cherished as a traditional New Year’s dish in Japan.

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.

Rentarō Taki

The children’s song “Oshōgatsu” is a famous nursery rhyme that depicts traditional Japanese New Year scenes. It was composed by Rentarō Taki, a composer active from the Meiji to Taishō periods. Taki also created masterpieces such as “Kōjō no Tsuki” and “Hana,” and he had a significant impact on the history of Japanese music. “Oshōgatsu” is loved by people of all ages, from children to adults, and is often sung at schools and at home during the New Year season.