The Sacred Roots of Shogatsu: Japanese New Year Myths
When travelers imagine New Year’s Eve, they often picture the ball drop in Times Square or fireworks over Sydney Harbor. However, in Japan, the transition from the old year to the new—known as Shogatsu—is a deeply spiritual event rooted in ancient mythology. It is not merely a change of the calendar; it is a ritualistic welcome extended to a specific deity.
To understand the profound silence of Tokyo streets on January 1st and the concurrent massive crowds at Shinto shrines, one must look back to the myths that shaped this island nation.
The Origins: Harvest and Ancestors
The mythology of the Japanese New Year is inextricably linked to rice farming and ancestor worship. In ancient Japan, the passage of time was measured by agricultural cycles. The word Toshi (year) originally shared meaning with the word for rice grain. Therefore, the New Year was not just a mark of time, but a prayer for the upcoming harvest.
The central figure of Shogatsu is Toshigami-sama (The Year God). Unlike the distant deities of Olympus, Toshigami is a “visiting spirit” (marebito). Mythologically, this deity descends from the high mountains (the realm of the dead and spirits) on New Year’s Day to visit every household. He brings two gifts: a bountiful harvest for the coming year and the life-force (tamashii) that allows everyone to age one year older.
The Legend of Toshigami
While the Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters) details the dramatic creation of Japan, the lore of Toshigami is found more in folk tradition and later interpretations of Shinto genealogy.
The Lineage of the Year God
According to some interpretations of Japanese mythology, Toshigami is the grandson of Susanoo-no-Mikoto, the storm god and brother to the Sun Goddess Amaterasu. In other regional legends, Toshigami is a dual-entity, representing both the spirit of the grain and the collective spirit of the family’s ancestors.
The Myth of the Welcome
The central myth dictates that Toshigami will not enter a home that is impure or unwelcoming. This belief birthed the traditions seen today:
- Kadomatsu (Gate Pines): Travelers will notice bamboo and pine decorations flanking doorways. In mythology, spirits are drawn to evergreen trees. These act as spiritual antennas or beacons, signaling to Toshigami that the house is ready for his arrival.
- Shimekazari: Straw ropes with zigzag paper strips (shide) hung above doors mark the boundary between the sacred and the profane, creating a pure space where the god can dwell.
- Hatsuhinode (The First Sunrise): The legend suggests that Toshigami arrives with the first light of the sun on January 1st. This is why millions of Japanese people hike up mountains or drive to the coast to pray to the rising sun, effectively greeting the deity as he descends.
Modern Culture: Living the Myth
Today, the mythology of Toshigami has evolved into Japan’s most significant cultural holiday. The rituals may seem secular to the uninitiated, but they are reenactments of the ancient myth.
Osechi Ryori (traditional New Year food) is perhaps the most delicious manifestation of this. The food is prepared in advance so that no cooking is done on the first three days of the year, to avoid disturbing the fire god. More importantly, the meal is eaten using Iwai-bashi—chopsticks tapered at both ends. One end is for the human, and the other is for the god. It is a communal meal shared between the mortal family and the invisible Toshigami.
Furthermore, Otoshidama, the custom of giving money to children in envelopes, originated from the distribution of mochi (rice cakes). In the past, the rice cake was believed to contain the “spirit of the year” (Toshigami’s essence). Giving it to family members was a way of distributing the god’s life force.
Traveler’s Tips for Shogatsu
Experiencing the New Year in Japan is magical, but it requires preparation.
- The Silence and the Crowd: Major cities like Tokyo become unusually quiet as locals return to their family homes. Conversely, shrines like Meiji Jingu or Fushimi Inari Taisha become immensely crowded for Hatsumode (the first shrine visit). Be prepared for long lines.
- Closures: Many restaurants, museums, and shops close from January 1st to January 3rd. While convenience stores remain open, you should book special holiday dinners well in advance.
- Atmosphere: Visit a local temple on New Year’s Eve to hear the Joya no Kane (ringing of the bell 108 times). It is a hauntingly beautiful auditory experience designed to cleanse the 108 worldly desires.
- Etiquette: If you participate in Hatsumode, follow the local custom: bow at the torii gate, cleanse your hands at the water pavilion, throw a coin (5 yen is lucky), bow twice, clap twice, pray, and bow once more.
Sources & Further Reading
For those interested in the deep historical context of Japanese deities and folklore, the following texts are essential:
- The Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters): The oldest extant chronicle in Japan, detailing the origin of the Shinto gods.
- The Nihon Shoki (The Chronicles of Japan): Provides a more historical and detailed account of the imperial lineage and mythology.
- The Works of Yanagita Kunio: As the father of modern Japanese folklore studies, Yanagita’s research on the concept of Marebito and agricultural deities provides the academic framework for understanding Toshigami.