Every year as December draws to a close, the excitement builds around New Year’s celebrations across Japan. Festivities come alive with traditions steeped deep within the cultural fabric of society, and preparations for ringing in the New Year are visible everywhere. This year, communities across the nation are engaged in diverse customs, reflecting the rich heritage of this festive season.
One noteworthy tradition is the crafting of kadomatsu, special bamboo decorations placed at the entrances of homes and businesses to welcome the spirits of the harvest and the New Year. The construction of these festive structures is taking place at the gardening firm Inetani located in Obihiro, Hokkaido. Under the attentive craftsmanship of workers, each kadomatsu is assembled with great care, symbolizing respect and hope for prosperity. President Naoki Inetani expressed the significance of this work by stating, "We wish for happiness and good fortune as we prepare for the New Year." This year, the materials for their kadomatsu include bamboo sourced from Saitama Prefecture, which is widely regarded for its quality and significance in New Year decorations.
At the same time, preparations are underway at Yoshio Farm located in Kurihara City, Miyagi. Here, the farm workers focus on producing traditional kiri mochi, or sliced rice cakes, intended for New Year festivities. Utilizing specially harvested 징밀 rice from their own fields, the farm processes around 600 kilograms daily during its peak season. Around the end of December, Yoshio Farm anticipates shipping out 23 tons of these beloved rice cakes across Japan, including to Sendai and beyond. President Hiroshi Yoshio shared his enthusiasm for the traditional food, emphasizing, "Our mochi is perfect for soup dishes since it holds its shape well. I hope it brings smiles to those who enjoy it during the New Year."
Meanwhile, over at the Kaminomiya Shrine in Atami, Shizuoka Prefecture, the creation of mayudama is at its peak. These colorful ornaments, reminiscent of silkworm cocoons, hail from the agricultural history of the area when sericulture thrived. Today, these decorations symbolize good fortune and prosperous business at the start of the year. Shrine attendants, dressed as traditional miko, carefully assemble the mayudama using colorful rice flour. Miko Ai Hiyoshi expressed her hopes for the upcoming year, saying, "I pray for every single year to be as vibrant and colorful as the mayudama itself." It's worth noting, this year, the production is lower than usual due to fewer harvested branches, totaling around 200 pieces expected to be made.
Shifting focus to central Japan, the region around Gifu City is abuzz with the harvest of shukudai konjac, small radishes traditionally used during New Year’s meals, especially the zoni soup. These petite radishes, typically about three centimeters wide and twenty centimeters long, are carefully cultivated to make sure they are perfect for the festive table. The radishes are notable for being served cut round, resembling the smoothness and elegance desired for good luck during the New Year. Farmer Kiyoshi Kitagawa, who has started harvesting, mentioned, "The taste is especially delightful this year. I hope families will enjoy these at their New Year celebrations." His farm, which supplies over 60,000 of these radishes, is set to ship them primarily to the Kansai region before the end of the month.
With all these preparations, it’s clear the Japanese public embraces their cultural heritage and takes pride in the rituals associated with the New Year. Each activity, from crafting kadomatsu to producing kiri mochi and harvesting shukudai konjac, speaks of hope, good fortune, and the welcoming of new beginnings. Across the country, families are eager not only to celebrate with delicious meals but to affirm the values of tradition, community, and joy as they enter 2024.
The spirit of New Year’s preparation is not only about the physical decorations and meals; it reflects the shared resilience and optimism of the Japanese people. Even as traditions evolve, the heartfelt respect for customs remains steadfast. Families and individuals weave these timeless customs with modern celebrations, ensuring the legacy continues for future generations.
