Tomoko remembers how people celebrated the new year in Japan.
In Japan, Tomoko grew up in a Protestant family, and she converted to Catholicism when in college. On New Year's Eve, Catholics remember St. Sylvester: the 34th pope who died on December 31st. More known is January 1: the solemnity of Mary. Traditionally, many Japanese families visit shrines to give respect to their ancestors and to with for a happy new year: a practice called Hatsumode. As with Lunar New Year, families might give their children a red envelope with some money: otoshidama.
Tomoko likes to get up early, so she may have watched the first sunrise of the year: a practice known as Hatsuhinode.
Tomoko also remembers her mother cleaning the house. New Year has been a time to fresh starts, so Tomoko's mother probably followed the tradition of oosouji: big cleaning.
Food hold special meaning for Tomoko On New Year's Eve her family would likely have eaten soba (buckwheat noodle soup) on New Year's Eve. On New Year's Day they might have eaten ozoni: a vegetable and chicken soup that is associated with long life. Mikan, a citrus fruit that resembles a tangerine, might also have been eaten at that time.
Regardless of the culture, Tomoko agrees that New Year's a good time to start out right -- with MUSIC! May 2023 be harmonious.
