{"id":36,"date":"2009-01-05T23:47:39","date_gmt":"2009-01-06T03:47:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/japanese\/?p=36"},"modified":"2018-07-27T18:08:10","modified_gmt":"2018-07-27T18:08:10","slug":"new-years-formalities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/japanese\/new-years-formalities\/","title":{"rendered":"Japanese Culture: New Year’s Formalities"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hi everyone!\u00a0 Today we’re going to talk about certain formalities that are performed for the New Year.\u00a0 These formalities are performed by most Japanese families year after year.\u00a0 For example, it’s common for every family to send out a nengajoo (\u5e74\u8cc0\u72b6<\/strong><\/span><\/span>) or a New Year’s postcard.\u00a0 Nengajoos (\u5e74\u8cc0\u72b6<\/strong><\/span>) will contain the family’s address and a New Year’s greeting.\u00a0 Some of the greetings might include phrases like: kinga shinnen (\u8b39\u8cc0\u65b0\u5e74<\/strong><\/span>) which means Happy New Year and shoshun (\u521d\u6625<\/strong><\/span>) meaning ‘happy early spring.’\u00a0 These phrases are more commonly used\u00a0on nengajoos (\u5e74\u8cc0\u72b6<\/strong><\/span><\/span>) then in person.<\/p>\n

The nengajoos (\u5e74\u8cc0\u72b6<\/strong><\/span>) come in all different colors.\u00a0 Some of the most favorite nengajoos (\u5e74\u8cc0\u72b6<\/strong><\/span>) are of Western cartoon characters like Snoopy and Mickey Mouse.\u00a0 The most generic nengajoo (\u5e74\u8cc0\u72b6<\/strong><\/span>) contains an image of the Zodiac animal represented for that year.\u00a0 Every year, a different animal is presented from the Chinese Zodiac as the representative for that year.\u00a0 If you’re not familar with the Chinese Zodiac, it’s like a type of horoscope.\u00a0 In the western tradition, horoscopes are designated by the\u00a0month of your birth, but Japanese horoscopes are designated by the year.\u00a0 The year 2009 is represented by the ox, so you’ll see many nengajoos (\u5e74\u8cc0\u72b6<\/strong><\/span>) with an image of an ox.<\/p>\n

The general etiquette is to make sure the nengajoos (\u5e74\u8cc0\u72b6<\/strong><\/span>) arrive at their destination before mid January.\u00a0 As a result, people try to mail them ahead of time.\u00a0 The post offices in Japan are always flooded with these cards, so if you’re going to tip anyone this season, tip the postman.\u00a0 If there’s been a death in the family, the family may still send a postcard, but not one that is elaborately designed.\u00a0 The postcard is often subdued and is more of a notice to other family members that they are in mourning.\u00a0 It’s considered inconsiderate to send a festive New Year’s card to the family in mourning.\u00a0 Usually families will send a condolence card instead of the traditional nengajoo (\u5e74\u8cc0\u72b6<\/strong><\/span>) card.<\/p>\n

The next type of formality is one having to do with money.\u00a0 Otoshidama (\u304a\u5e74\u7389<\/strong><\/span>) is a general term for a New Year’s gift.\u00a0 Japanese children often receive money from their parents and grandparents in the form of money.\u00a0 The money is placed in an envelop called pochi bukuro (\u307d\u3061\u3076\u304f\u308d<\/strong>).\u00a0 The older the child, the more money the child receives.\u00a0 It’s a way for parents to encourage or motivate their children to study harder or behave better.\u00a0 I call it a form of bribing, and growing up I always looked forward to this bribing every year!<\/p>\n

Ok, time to go.\u00a0 I have many more New Year’s posts coming up, so stay tuned!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Hi everyone!\u00a0 Today we’re going to talk about certain formalities that are performed for the New Year.\u00a0 These formalities are performed by most Japanese families year after year.\u00a0 For example, it’s common for every family to send out a nengajoo (\u5e74\u8cc0\u72b6) or a New Year’s postcard.\u00a0 Nengajoos (\u5e74\u8cc0\u72b6) will contain the family’s address and a…<\/p>\n

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