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 season when the sunlight weakens and the weather gets colder, people eat nutritious foods and pray for good health.
The winter solstice occurs between the New Year holidays, so there are many different events and customs taking place around this time.
What kind of year was this for you?
This time we will introduce some year-end customs.
(For more information on the Winter Solstice customs, please click here.)
The last day of the year, New Year's Eve
It is a half moon, based on the custom of starting New Year's activities on December 13th.
In order to welcome the New Year in a good mood, people begin their thorough cleaning before New Year's Eve, and finish preparing the pine trees, decorations such as shimenawa, and 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 Bells
Joya refers to the night on 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, remove their worldly desires, and welcome the New Year with pure and righteous hearts.
The bells are rung at midnight from New Year's Eve through to New Year's Day.
Many temples ring their bells 107 times on New Year's Eve , and then ring one final time in the new year .
Ringing the bell 107 times on New Year's Eve symbolizes the elimination of earthly desires before the New Year.
And the final one will be after the New Year.
As we listen to the sound of the bells at the very beginning of the new year, we recall all the events that occurred over the past year, and it is the beginning of the new year with thoughts of reflection, improvement, and hope in our hearts.
108 chimes
It is said that 108 is the number of human desires.
Worldly desires are the mind that torments oneself. They are a mind that troubles and obstructs the path to enlightenment. In Buddhism, it is believed that the cause of being unable to be happy is not something outside of oneself, but something inside of oneself.
There are various theories about the origin of the number "108."
①Six 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 .
They are further classified into two categories: dyeing and cleaning .
These are the three: past, present, and future .
6 × 3 × 2 × 3 ₌ 108
② Calendar theory
Numbers based on the flow of time in the calendar month, 24 divisions, and 72 seasons
Number of calendar months (12) + Number of 24 solar terms (24) + 72 seasons (72) ₌108
The calendar, the 24 solar terms, and the 72 seasons are also based on the passage of time, so if you consider that earthly desires arise as people pass their time, it makes sense.
2. New Year's Eve Soba
Buckwheat has been grown since ancient times as a famine relief crop, but it was also eaten on special occasions as a lucky charm.
There are regional differences and it is also called soba, such as Omisoka soba, Otoshi soba, Tsugomori soba, Luck soba, New Year's Eve soba, Toshitori soba, Toshikiri soba, Enkiri soba, Lifespan soba, Fuku soba and Shinan soba.
So far, we have introduced many foods associated with ceremonies. Since ancient times, when Japanese people eat food during events or celebrations, they have entrusted various thoughts, such as good luck charms and wishes, toshikoshi soba noodles to them.
The meaning behind toshikoshi soba
1. To live longer
Like soba noodles, we eat them in the hope of living a long and healthy life.
2. May you be in good health and be free from illness and disasters.
Even if soba is exposed to wind and rain, it will revive when exposed to sunlight. Therefore, it is said that the person will be able to revive again and again, just like soba.
3. To cut off this year's bad luck and bring good fortune to the next year
Because soba noodles are easy to cut, it is said that they are eaten as a way to neatly cut off the troubles and bad luck of the past year and welcome in the new year.
4. May your financial luck improve.
It is said that goldsmiths in the past used buckwheat flour to collect the gold and silver that got scattered during their work. Since buckwheat can collect gold, it was believed that financial luck would increase.
The ingredients placed on top of the soba also have meaning.
For example, shrimp tempura is a symbol of longevity, and fried tofu is a symbol of prosperous business; the ingredients used represent people's hopes for the new year.
The winter solstice is represented in the 72 seasonal divisions as follows:
First Season (64th Season: "Natsukarekusashozu")
When the summer grass starts to sprout
"Natsukare-kusa" means "Utsubo-gusa". Under the barren winter fields, only Utsubo-gusa begins to sprout.
Next Season: 65th Season "Sawashika no Tsuno Otsuru"
When male deer lose their antlers
One of the characteristics of male deer is their large, impressive antlers, which they shed once a year at this time and begin to grow back 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 24th season, which is the opposite of the 24th season, "Wheat harvest".