End of the agricultural calendar

Today, and December 8th annually, is "Okotoosame" or "Kotoosame".　This day marks the end of a year's work, including farming, and in a time when the lunar calendar was used marked the end of the agricultural calendar. 

During the rest period initiated by Okotosame, villagers enjoyed ceremonies and festivals. In parts of the Kanto region, December 8th was considered the start of New Year's ceremonies and February 8th was considered the end of New Year's ceremonies. When Japan switched from the traditional lunar calendar to the Gregorian calendar during the Meiji Restoration, many festivals and observances, including Okotosame, were dropped. While it is no longer a widely practiced nationwide event in the same way, the date is still recognized. 

On this day, there was a custom of eating "Gotojiru", which contains root vegetables such as taro, konjac, carrots, adzuki beans, and wheat flour, to celebrate the end of the season.