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Happy New Year 2016 and Shinto FAQ
10 years ago
General
あけましておめでとう! 今年もよろしくね!
Akemashite omedetō! Kotoshi mo yoroshiku ne!
I hope everyone had a fantastic holiday period and that you are feeling refreshed and excited for this new year, 2016. I hope to update this account a lot more from now on!
New Years
Here are some things that we outside of Japan can do on New Year (and in the month of January):
- Offerings: If you have a kamidana, altar or sacred space, you can make offerings of food and alchohol to Okamisama. There are traditional foods associated with new year in Japan, such as mochi. This year, I was unable to obtain or make any mochi so instead I offered cakes, oranges and vodka in place of sake. Okamisama understands that due to us being outside of Japan, some things are harder for us to find. There are many Japanese food suppliers online though, or there may be a section in your local Asian supermarket.
- Family and friends: In Japan, New Year is like Christmas to us Westerners. They eat large meals, clean the house and spend merry times with family and friends.
- Divination: When people attend shrines for New Years Eve/Day in Japan, they often pick a fortune (O-mikuji). I replicate this by doing a tarot reading for myself on New Years day for the year ahead.
- Cleansing: I feel that one of the most important things to do at New Year is to clean and purify your home and places of residence. I physically clean everything, dust it, wash it, vacuum etc etc I also spiritually clean by using a smudge stick, a gohei and by sprinkling purified salt outside all openings to the home.
- Celebrate: All in all, celebrate the passing of the year and be grateful to Okamisama for all the blessings you have received throughout the year. Have a party and make many offerings!
F.A.Q.
I am thinking about starting a Shinto FAQ! If anyone has any questions about Shinto, please let me know! Either comment here or send in a note!
Have a great month!
Akemashite omedetō! Kotoshi mo yoroshiku ne!
I hope everyone had a fantastic holiday period and that you are feeling refreshed and excited for this new year, 2016. I hope to update this account a lot more from now on!
New Years
Here are some things that we outside of Japan can do on New Year (and in the month of January):
- Offerings: If you have a kamidana, altar or sacred space, you can make offerings of food and alchohol to Okamisama. There are traditional foods associated with new year in Japan, such as mochi. This year, I was unable to obtain or make any mochi so instead I offered cakes, oranges and vodka in place of sake. Okamisama understands that due to us being outside of Japan, some things are harder for us to find. There are many Japanese food suppliers online though, or there may be a section in your local Asian supermarket.
- Family and friends: In Japan, New Year is like Christmas to us Westerners. They eat large meals, clean the house and spend merry times with family and friends.
- Divination: When people attend shrines for New Years Eve/Day in Japan, they often pick a fortune (O-mikuji). I replicate this by doing a tarot reading for myself on New Years day for the year ahead.
- Cleansing: I feel that one of the most important things to do at New Year is to clean and purify your home and places of residence. I physically clean everything, dust it, wash it, vacuum etc etc I also spiritually clean by using a smudge stick, a gohei and by sprinkling purified salt outside all openings to the home.
- Celebrate: All in all, celebrate the passing of the year and be grateful to Okamisama for all the blessings you have received throughout the year. Have a party and make many offerings!
F.A.Q.
I am thinking about starting a Shinto FAQ! If anyone has any questions about Shinto, please let me know! Either comment here or send in a note!
Have a great month!
themnax
~themnax
these things are most welcome to hear.
