Little New Year

Today, and January 15th annually, is Little New Year 小正月 (Koshōgatsu). It marks the close of the New Year in many respects, although in many temples and shrines around the country the official period of Hatsumode (New Year prayers) is still on. For example, in Kawagoe, a lot of the shrines and temples hatsumode period is until the end of January. Some are until mid February.

Koshōgatsu customs vary across Japan, but one of the most widespread is enjoying a warm bowl of 小豆粥 (azuki-gayu), a simple rice porridge cooked with red beans. The red color symbolizes protection, and eating it on the morning of the 15th is believed to ward off illness and misfortune for the year ahead.

As I explained last week, the New Year decorations are taken down on the 8th, but on the 15th the mochibana and mayudama remain. They are the tree branch like decorations with colored mochi like balls on them.  Other traditions of "little new year" include Sagicho, aka dondoyaki, which is a ritualistic burning of the New Year decorations that are taken down on the 8th. In some areas they have other traditions. For example, namahage was historically celebrated on the 15th, but in some areas its been moved to New Years eve.