Before 1873, the Japanese New Year was based on the Chinese lunar calendar but following the Meiji Restoration Japan adopted the Gregorian calendar and it is now celebrated on January 1st. It is considered by most Japanese to be one of the most important of the annual festivals and over the centuries has developed its own unique set of customs. The traditional Japanese way to spend New Year’s Day would be to visit a temple or shrine. But, that is not the beginning of Oshogatsu. In the days leading up to New Year’s Eve, osoji (cleaning), the Japanese equivalent of “spring cleaning” begins. The Japanese believe this is a good time to purify your environment to begin the New Year fresh and new...

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