22nd of the 24 solar terms [Winter Solstice]
The season is approaching the winter solstice.
The shortest day and longest night of the year.
In order to get through this time of year when the sunlight weakens and the weather gets colder, people eat nutritious foods and pray for good health.
The winter solstice falls between the New Year holidays, so there are many different events and customs to observe.
What kind of year was this for you?
This time we will introduce some end-of-year customs.
The last day of the year, New Year's Eve
It is a half moon, based on the custom of starting the New Year on December 13th.
In order to welcome the new year in a good mood, people start cleaning up before New Year's Eve, and then finish preparing decorations such as welcoming pine trees and shimenawa, as well as food (offerings) such as osechi and mochi.On New Year's Eve, they purify their minds in preparation for the new year.
The origin of New Year's Eve
[New Year's Eve Events]
1. New Year's Eve Bell
Joya refers to the night of New Year's Eve, and is called Joya in the sense of "removing the old year." Many temples hold important ceremonies to look back on the past year and express gratitude for the transition to the new year, such as "Joya Memorial Service" and "Joyae."
The temple holds a final memorial service so that people can listen to the sound of the bells, clear away worldly desires, and welcome the new year with a pure and righteous heart.
The bells are rung at midnight from New Year's Eve through New Year's Day.
Many temples ring the bells 107 times on New Year's Eve , and then ring the final time in the new year .
Ringing the bell 107 times on New Year's Eve symbolizes eliminating earthly desires before the new year arrives.
And the final one will be after the new year.
At the very beginning of the new year, listening to the sound of the bells, we recall the various events of the past year, and at the very beginning of the new year, we take to heart our thoughts of reflection, improvement, and hope.
108 bells
It is said that 108 is the number of human desires.
Worldly desires are the mind that torments us. They are the mind that troubles us and obstructs our path to enlightenment. In Buddhism, it is believed that the cause of our inability to be happy lies not outside of ourselves, but within ourselves.
There are various theories about the origin of the number "108."
①The Six Senses Theory
The number of things that give rise to sensations and lead people astray
The six senses of eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body and mind
There are three states: good, neutral, and bad .
It is further classified into two types: dyeing and cleaning .
These are the three: past, present, and future .
6 × 3 × 2 × 3 ₌ 108
②Calendar theory
Numbers based on the flow of time in the calendar month, 24 solar terms, and 72 seasonal divisions
Number of calendar months (12) + Number of 24 solar terms (24) + 72 seasonal divisions (72) ₌108
The calendar months, 24 solar terms, and 72 seasonal divisions are also based on the flow of time, so it makes sense when you consider that earthly desires arise as people pass their time.
2. New Year's Eve Soba
Buckwheat has long been grown as a famine relief crop, but it has also been eaten on special occasions as a lucky charm.
There are regional differences, and it is also called by many names, such as New Year's Eve soba, New Year's soba, New Year's Day soba, New Year's Day soba, New Year's cut soba, New Year's holiday soba, New Year's soba, New Year's end soba, New Year's day ...
So far we have introduced many foods for ceremonies, but since ancient times, when Japanese people eat food during events and celebrations, they have entrusted various thoughts, such as good luck charms and wishes, to the food they eat. Toshikoshi soba is one of them.
The meaning behind toshikoshi soba
1. To live longer
Like soba noodles, we eat them in the hope of living a long and slender life.
2. May you be in good health and free from illness.
Even if soba is exposed to wind and rain, it will recover when exposed to sunlight, so it is said that the soba will revive many times, just like soba.
3. To cut off this year's bad luck and welcome next year with good fortune
Because soba noodles are easy to cut, it is said that they are eaten to neatly cut away the troubles and misfortunes of the past year and welcome the new year.
4. For better financial luck
It is said that goldsmiths in the past used buckwheat flour to collect the gold and silver scattered during their work. Since buckwheat flour can collect gold, it was believed that it would bring good fortune in terms of money.
The ingredients placed on top of the soba also have meaning.
For example, shrimp tempura is a symbol of longevity, and deep-fried tofu is a symbol of prosperous business, and people place their hopes for the new year on the ingredients.
The winter solstice is represented in the 72 seasonal divisions as follows:
First Season (64th Season: "Natsukarekusashozu")
When the dead summer grass starts to sprout
"Natsukaregusa" (Natsukaregusa) refers to the utsubogusa (Utsubogusa). In the bare fields of winter, only the utsubogusa begins to sprout.
Next Season: The 65th Season: "Sawashikanotsunnotsuru"
When male deer's antlers fall off
One of the characteristics of male deer is their large, impressive antlers, which fall off once a year at this time and start growing again in the spring.
Last Season (64th Season: "Wheat grows under the snow")
When the wheat begins to sprout under the snow
It grows quietly even under deep snow, patiently waiting for the spring thaw. This is the counterpart to the 24th season, "Mugi no Toki Itaru."
