The beginning of the new year is celebrated by all the peoples of the world. Not all nationalities and nationalities have the same reference dates, but, despite this, we are all equally happy about this holiday every time. What are the traditions of the New Year in Japan and is there a Japanese Santa Claus?
East is a delicate matter
Never try to tell the Japanese about the chiming clock on New Year's Eve. The thing is that in the Land of the Rising Sun, the onset of the New Year is marked by 108 bells. However, there is something in common between our cultures - the holiday is celebrated on the night of December 31 to January 1. It is believed that the existence of man is complicated by 108 destructive passions, and the New Year's bell with every blow drives away one of these vices, portending a good year.
Preparations for the holiday in Japan necessarily include the installation of Kadomatsu - a special gate made of bamboo and pine branches in front of the house. It is believed that the Japanese Santa Claus passes through them. Wealthy families also plant in front of their homes trees of flowering peach, plum or pine.
Segatsu-san - “Mr. January”
There is also a special New Year wizard in Japan. Japanese Santa Claus Segatsu-san is fundamentally different from his colleague from Russia. Literally, the name of this elder can be translated into Russian as "Mr. January." Residents of the Land of the Rising Sun wait a whole week for Segatsu-san to come to their house and congratulate them on the holiday. Interestingly, the New Year wizard does not give gifts to either children or adults. Representatives of the younger generation from infancy know that they can only rely on presentations from their parents. The time when "Mr. January" congratulates the Japanese on the holidays is called "Golden Week."
Japanese Santa Claus costume is also quite original and atypical for the New Year's wizard. The old man is dressed in a green festive kimono and a traditional headdress. But a thick white beard with a mustache, descending almost to the floor, gives Segatsu-san a significant resemblance to his Russian brother.
Two Santa Clauses of one country?
While Japanese fashion, technology and art are conquering the world, the inhabitants of the Land of the Rising Sun are interested in unusual European and American traditions for them. Not so long ago, the second New Year wizard appeared in Japan. His name is Oji-san. And if Segatsu-san is the Japanese Santa Claus, then the newcomer, rather, is the eastern counterpart of Santa Claus. Why did the inhabitants of the Land of the Rising Sun need a second Santa Claus? It's simple: Oji-san, like many other New Year wizards, brings gifts to children who behaved well throughout the year. It is not surprising that many kids are looking forward to it on their holiday. It is worth noting that the new Japanese Santa Claus is even visually very similar to Santa Claus.
Changing the traditions of celebrating the beginning of the year is not very popular with the older generation. If children stop believing in Segatsu-san, an important element of folk culture and folklore in its original and original sense will be lost.