日本語は英語の後に続きます。Japanese follows.

We went to a neaby temple on New Year’s Eve,

when “osechi (traditional New Year dishes

that said to bring good fortune)” was ready. 

newyear'sevebell

On December 31st, “joya-no-kane (New Year’s

Eve bells)” are ringing at temples across the

country to ward off the 108 worldly desires

of human beings.  It comes 107 times on the

31st and 1 time on the 1st of the New Year. 

 

“Toshigami-sama (god of the year)”, who

brings a rich harvest and protects the house

for a year, comes to every house on New

Year’s Day.  For this reason, it is said that on

the first three days of the New Year, “osechi”

dishes that last for a long time were prepared

to welcome “Toshigami-sama” by refraining

from cooking, and that they were prepared

for “Kamado-no-kamisama (god of the

cooking stove)” to rest. 

 

These days, “osechi” dishes are often packed

in three-tiered food boxes (normally

a lacquered glamorous boxes), but it is said

that originally five tiered food boxes, both

meant “to repeat auspicious events”.  Each

“osechi” dish is considered to bring good luck

for longevity, fertility, and family prosperity

by its appearance and a play on words.

 newyeardishes

お節の準備も整った大晦日の夜は近所の

お寺へ。全国各地のお寺でつかれる除夜

の鐘は、108あるという人間の煩悩を

祓うためにつかれる。31日に107回つき

年が明けた1日に1回つくとか。

 

五穀豊穣と家の一年を守る年神様は

正月に家々にやってくる。そのため正月

三が日は、煮炊きを控えて年神様を迎える

意味で、日持ちするお節料理が用意される

ようになったとか、かまどの神様に休んで

もらうために用意されるようになったとか

いわれている。

 

最近では三段重に詰められることの多い

お節料理。本来は五段重ねで「祝い事を

重ねる」という意味があったそう。他にも

お節料理は、見た目や語呂合わせなどで

子孫繁栄や不老長寿などの縁起をかつぐ。