Welcoming Toshitokujin: The Arrival of Japan’s New Year Spirit
When the clock strikes midnight on December 31st in the West, fireworks usually illuminate the sky. However, in Japan, the atmosphere is markedly different. A solemn, spiritual quiet descends as temple bells ring 108 times. This is the moment the Japanese prepare for the most important event of the calendar: the arrival of Toshitokujin (often called Toshigami-sama), the deity of the New Year. For travelers seeking to understand the heart of Japanese culture, understanding this visiting spirit is the key to unlocking the beauty of Oshogatsu (New Year).
The Origins: Ancestors and Agrarian Roots
The concept of Toshitokujin is deeply rooted in Japan’s agrarian past and the indigenous Shinto faith. Unlike the distant gods of Western mythology, Japanese kami (spirits/gods) are often viewed as visitors who come and go from the human realm.
Toshitokujin is believed to be a duality: he is both a harvest god, bringing the promise of a bountiful rice crop for the coming year, and an ancestral spirit watching over the family. In ancient times, the New Year was not just a calendar change; it was a spiritual renewal of life force. The arrival of this deity meant the granting of toshidama—not just the monetary gift given to children today, but the literal “soul of the year,” providing everyone with the power to age one year older safely.
Legend: The God of the Lucky Direction
While Toshitokujin brings general prosperity, he is specifically famous in mythology for governing the Eho (The Lucky Direction). In Japanese astrology and folklore (heavily influenced by Chinese Yin-Yang philosophy or Onmyodo), Toshitokujin moves his residence every year to a different compass point based on the zodiac sign of the year.
The Shifting Compass
According to legend, whichever direction Toshitokujin resides in is considered the most auspicious for that year. Historically, warlords and emperors would plan their movements based on this direction. Today, this legend persists in the belief that praying or performing certain actions toward the Eho guarantees success and wards off evil spirits.
Some folkloric texts link Toshitokujin to the deity Susanoo-no-Mikoto from the creation myths, portraying him as a powerful figure who tests the hospitality of mortals before granting them fortune. This aligns with the tradition of cleaning the house thoroughly (Osoji) to make it pristine for the god’s arrival.
Modern Culture: How Japan Welcomes the Deity
If you walk through Tokyo or Kyoto in early January, you will see physical manifestations of this welcome. The customs are not merely decorative; they are functional spiritual tools designed to guide Toshitokujin into the home.
Kadomatsu (The Beacon)
Flanking the entrances of homes and businesses are Kadomatsu—arrangements of bamboo and pine. These serve as temporary housing (yorishiro) for the deity. The pine represents longevity, and the bamboo represents growth; together, they act as a beacon so Toshitokujin does not miss the house.
Kagami Mochi (The Offering)
Inside the home, usually in the alcove (tokonoma), families place Kagami Mochi—two stacked round rice cakes topped with a bitter orange (daidai). This is the offering to the visiting god. The round shape mimics the old copper mirrors associated with the sun goddess Amaterasu, symbolizing light and energy.
Ehomaki (The Lucky Roll)
While traditionally associated with Setsubun (the day before spring, usually in February), the culture of the “Lucky Direction” is directly tied to Toshitokujin. It has become a modern pop-culture phenomenon to eat a thick sushi roll (Ehomaki) in complete silence while facing the year’s lucky direction to internalize the god’s blessing.
Traveler’s Tips: Experiencing the Arrival
For a traveler in Japan during January, the arrival of Toshitokujin offers a unique window into the culture.
- Observe the Decorations: From December 26th to January 7th (generally), look for the Shimekazari (straw ropes) above doors. These mark the boundary between the profane outside world and the sacred home where the god is visiting.
- Hatsumode (First Shrine Visit): Join the locals for Hatsumode. While you are visiting a shrine, the act itself is a communion with the spirits of the New Year. The crowds at Meiji Jingu or Fushimi Inari are part of the energy.
- Respect the Quiet: unlike Western New Year’s Eve parties, traditional Japanese New Year is family-centric and quiet. If you are staying at a Ryokan (traditional inn), you may be served Osechi Ryori (New Year foods). Each item has a meaning related to the blessings Toshitokujin brings.
Sources & Further Reading
To delve deeper into the mythology of Japanese deities and the New Year, the following texts and authors provide essential historical context:
- The Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters): For the foundational myths of Susanoo and the Shinto pantheon.
- The Nihon Shoki (The Chronicles of Japan): For historical context on the integration of calendar systems and state worship.
- Yanagita Kunio: The works of Japan’s father of folklore studies offer extensive insights into the transition of agricultural spirits (Ta-no-Kami) into New Year deities (Toshigami).
- Encyclopedia of Shinto: Provided by Kokugakuin University for specific definitions of Omnyodo influence on directional deities.