[For Elementary School Kids] A New Year’s Quiz Everyone Can Enjoy! Learn surprising fun facts with multiple-choice questions

Rice cakes that were offerings to the New Year deity

Originally, otoshidama referred to the rice cakes offered to the Toshigami, the New Year deity who visits homes. It is said to have begun with families sharing those rice cakes to pray for happiness and health in the coming year. Over time, the custom shifted from rice cakes to practical items or money, the idea of rewarding children grew stronger, and it eventually settled into its present form.

To express the wish for blessings to multiply

It’s said that packing osechi into layered lacquered boxes is done for good luck, playing on the word “jū” (to stack) in jūbako and the idea of celebration. By layering the boxes, it conveys a wish for good fortune to be layered on as well.

first water drawn on New Year’s Day

“Wakimizu” refers to the first water drawn early on New Year’s Day, which has long been used to celebrate the start of the new year. By offering this water at the household Shinto altar or using it to make ozoni (New Year’s soup), people pray for health and good fortune throughout the year. It is part of Japan’s traditional New Year customs.

Hawk

“First Mount Fuji, second a hawk, third an eggplant” is known in Japan as a symbol of an auspicious first dream of the year. In this saying, the hawk is a powerful bird that soars high in the sky and is thought to signify high status and success. Additionally, because its pronunciation is the same as the word for “high” (taka), it symbolizes elevation and improvement, and is believed to bring good fortune and luck.

edge

The center of a Shinto shrine’s approach path is considered the route for the deities, so it is polite for people to walk along the edges. Worshippers often walk on the right side, but when it’s crowded, it’s also important to avoid inconveniencing others. By visiting with this custom in mind, you might even receive greater blessings.

first calligraphy of the year

Kakizome is a New Year’s tradition of writing calligraphy or drawing with a brush for the first time in the year, usually held on January 2. By writing your resolutions or goals for the year, you express your determination for the year ahead. How about trying kakizome together as a parent and child?

udon

It’s said that a good food to eat at New Year’s is udon. While it isn’t a traditional New Year’s dish, udon has long been considered an auspicious food that symbolizes longevity because the noodles are thick and long. In recent years, starting the year by eating “toshiake udon” (New Year’s udon) has been spreading. How about enjoying some udon with your family this New Year?

Edo period

Fukuwarai is said to have started in Japan during the Edo period. That said, it seems it didn’t really take root as a staple New Year’s game until the Meiji era. Why not try playing it with your child while imagining how people in Japan enjoyed it back then?

Portuguese

The word karuta comes from the Portuguese carta, which means card or paper. It originated from the card games brought by the Portuguese at the time. It’s a little-known fun fact, so be sure to share it with your friends!

108 times

The New Year’s Eve bell is struck 108 times. This number is based on the count of human earthly desires, or defilements, in Buddhism. These defilements refer to mental impulses that trouble the human mind, such as desire and anger. By striking the bell 108 times, each defilement is symbolically removed, expressing the intention to welcome the New Year with a pure heart.