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"New Year's Day" is a traditional Japanese event passed down from our ancestors to celebrate the safe arrival of the new year and to wish everyone a healthy and happy year. There are many customs that children can enjoy at "New Year's Day."
Today's contents: "New Year's"
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What I want to tell my children about New Year's
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Children enjoy a different kind of holiday than usual, receiving "otoshidama" (New Year's money) and eating colorful "osechi ryori" (New Year's food).
Furthermore, as mentioned in New Year's songs, there are games that are indispensable to the Japanese New Year, such as kite flying and spinning tops, and these games are filled with various wishes for children as they welcome the new year.
By learning the meaning and origin of the games and teaching them to your children, you can feel even more joyful about welcoming the new year.
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"Kite Flying | Takoage"
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It is said that the higher the kites fly in the clear blue skies of New Year's, the healthier the children will grow up. Kites were originally used in China for fortune telling, but were passed on to the nobility of the Heian period and then spread to the common people during the Edo period.
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"Spinning top"
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Spinning tops can be enjoyed indoors, and because they spin around, they are said to bring good luck in things going smoothly and in making money.
The top spins well because of its straight center, and it is said to represent the hope that a boy will grow up to be strong and resilient.
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"Feathered"
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The round black starberry fruit attached to the feathers of the "Hanetsuki" is written with the word "mukuanji" (water lily), and it is said to represent the wish for good health and freedom from illness for children.
For this reason, the custom of giving a gorgeous hagoita as a gift on the first New Year's Day after a baby is born remains.
Although it is not done much these days, it is said that when playing battledore and shuttlecock and miss a shot, smearing ink on one's face is also a talisman to ward off evil spirits.
In today's world, where the number of children is decreasing, it is very important for children to have "New Year's games" at daycare centers where they can play freely with each other. Japanese traditions and customs are deeply rooted in daily life, so we want children to increase their knowledge in a fun and natural way through "New Year's" games and eating "Osechi" dishes.
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