[From New Year's preparations to closing]

Currently, the period from New Year's Day to January 7th (Matsunouchi) is generally called New Year's Day.

<Three Days> January 1st to 3rd
<Matsunouchi> January 4th to 7th
<Little New Year> January 15th

After the Little New Year, the series of New Year's customs and events come to an end.

[Little New Year] January 15th

"Koshogatsu" refers to a series of events that conclude the New Year's holiday, which begins with preparations for the end of the year, continues through New Year's Day, and ends in Matsunouchi.

[Koshogatsu] is the day to put away the decorations, yorishiro, battledore, etc. that have been prepared since the beginning of the New Year (December 13th) and have been displayed during the New Year. Bonfires (fire festivals) called ``Dondo-yaki'' are held at shrines all over the country.

What is [Dontoyaki]?

This is an event in which shimenawa, pine decorations, calligraphy, and other items decorated to welcome Toshigami (the god of Toshigami) on New Year's Day are brought to the precincts or plazas of local shrines and burned to send the god to the heavens.

The fire that rises at this time is said to purify impurities, and people in the area pray for the misfortunes of the past year, pray for a good harvest, prosperous business, safety for the family, good health, prosperity for descendants, and warding off evil spirits.

[Dontoyaki legend]

- Exposure to the warmth of the Dondoyaki fire will keep you healthy and rejuvenated for a year. - Eating rice cakes and dumplings baked in the Dondoyaki will prevent you from getting sick for a year. - The paper you burned during the Dondoyaki will fly high in the sky. When you soar, your handwriting improves and your schoolwork also improves.
・Take the ashes home and scatter them around your house to ward off evil spirits and misfortune.

Dondoyaki is held not only to dispose of New Year's decorations, but also to watch the bonfires lit in front of the gods and Buddha, and the sound of exploding bamboo is said to ward off misfortune. This is an event that brings us various blessings through the purified flame. One of the New Year's culture that has been passed down since ancient times.

In addition, during the Small New Year, there is a custom of eating red bean porridge to ward off evil spirits for the year and to pray for good health.

Food for the New Year - Red bean porridge

[Azuki beans] have been believed to be effective for a long time, so much so that they are described in China's oldest medical book, Bencao, as ``killing demon poisons and stopping pain,'' and the red color of azuki beans is also said to be ``adzuki beans that ward off evil spirits.'' It has been said. It is introduced as a ceremonial food during New Year's holidays and the winter solstice, but it is also a food that can be actively incorporated for health and beauty reasons.

[Efficacy/effect]
●Vitamin B1, which is abundant in adzuki beans, has the ability to support carbohydrate metabolism. It also promotes lactic acid metabolism and supports recovery from fatigue.
●Ingredients rich in potassium. It excretes sodium (salt) taken into the body and helps prevent swelling.
●Contains a lot of dietary fiber. Effective against constipation. It also has the effect of regulating the intestinal environment.
It is also rich in polyphenols, iron, and isoflavones, and can be expected to have beneficial effects for women, including diet, beautiful skin, and prevention of lifestyle-related diseases.

 

 

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Around the beginning of the New Year, the weather begins to get colder, and as the cold gets deeper and deeper, this is the time when you start to feel tired from the New Year.

Nanakusa porridge and red bean porridge are warm and gentle to the body, unique to this season. Let's wait for spring while keeping our bodies warm and nourished by a rich variety of ingredients.