ＯＭＩＳＯＫＡ！！

I introduce about Omisoka(大晦日)

Osouji(大掃除)

It is Japan's  New Year's Eve.
People spend at house with family.

People are very busy on Omisoka.
Because they have much to do to prepare for the new year.

Many people  do a thorough house cleaning, it's called Osouji (大掃除).

And they make osechi(おせち) to new year.

toshikoshi soba(年越しそば)

After cleaning, people eat toshikoshisoba(年越しそば)  to dinner .

People watch singing program Kohaku Uta Gassen(紅白歌合戦).
Many famous singers appear it.

gakinotukaiyaarahende
(ガキの使いやあらへんで)

But in recent years,peple watch  "Gakino tukaiya arahende(ガキの使いやあらへんで)" that is  comedy program.

Last year I spent Omisoka at Korea.
I'm going to spend with my family this year.
I can't wait Omisoka and Osyogatsu(お正月)!

The New Year Day

In the new year day in Japan, we　say 'Happy New Year' to everyone we meet and the children get money from adults, but they cannot use the money they got from adults because it is said that if they used the money in that day, they would be poor in the year.

We visit the shrine in Japanese traditional wear in that morning and greet the gods of the shrine. Some people pray their wish at the time for the year.

Children play with kites or tops the new year day and do　a special piece of calligraphy for the New Year the 3rd Jan. We write the words they decide for that year with the ink made from water that we gathered from leaves in that morning.

Plus, we eat Japanese traditional foods called osechi(おせち) in the new year day. It is one of the most expensive dishes in Japan. We make it by using the products which have good meanings in Japan.

In the department stores, it is on a very big sale there, and there usually are a lot of people looking for good things.


We have many ways to spend the new year day in Japan.
How about America?

Hina-Matsuri

March 3rd is Hina-Matsuri,the Doll's Festival for girls.
(ひな祭り)

People display graceful dolls in ancient court costumes on a tier of
5 or 7 shelves covered with scarlet cloth.Theses dolls represent the
Emperor and Empress,the court ladies,the ministers and the count musicians. 
The girls are expected to be as elegant as these courtly
ladies. And they wear the beautiful Kimono and get together
 before the display and have a good time,eating sweet crackers
(ひなあられ) and drinking white sake(白酒)
We offer sweet mild sake and diamond-shaped rice cakes
on the doll-stand.

Hina-Matsuri is also known as the Peach Festival.(桃の節句)
When I was a child,I often wear the Kimono.
Have you ever worn the Kimono?