Holidays Around the World: Japan

O-Shōgatsu, which lasts from January1 - January 3, is the traditional Japanese New Year. it is a time for reflection, family, friends, delicious food, and fun!

an important New Year symbol & good luck charm for the Japanese is the Daruma doll, which has no pupils in its eyes. the custom is to make a wish & paint in the left eye. if your wish comes true before the end of the year, you paint in the other eye.

Daruma dolls have no arms or legs because they are modelled after the legend of Bodhidharma, a Buddhist monk, who traveled to the northern Chinese kingdom of Wei, to a cave near the Shaolin Monastery, where he faced a wall in meditation for nine years, not speaking for the entire time. according to the legend, his limbs atrophied after nine years of sitting, which is why Japanese Daruma dolls have no arms or legs & appear much like a child's punching doll. because of the low center of gravity, the Daruma doll will return to its upright position after being tilted to the side. it has become sybmolic for optimism & strong determination, and reinforces the concepts of patience & persistence. as the Japanese say: "Nana Korobi, ya oki" which means, "Knocked down seven times, get up eight."

bell ringing is also a big part of O-Shōgatsu. the Japanese New Year is announced by bell ringing at the Buddhist temples throughout the country. a special New Year's decoration called the kadomatsu appears at the front entrance to many homes. the kadomatsu's plum blossom, which grows even in cold weather, symbolizes hope for the new year. Its pine branch represents everlasting strength, and the straight bamboo represents rapid growth. everyone in Japan enjoys the spirit of O-Shōgatsu and the symbolism & beautiful customs of the New Year.