Homes are decorated and the holidays are celebrated

Also known as kodomo no hiInformation Preparations for seeing in the new year holidays. On the 2nd and 3rd days acquaintances visit one another to extend greetings nenshi and sip otoso spiced rice wine. This is called sanshamairi. The house is then decorated in the traditional fashion sacred rope of straw shimenawa with dangling white paper strips shide is hung over the front door to prevent evil spirits from entering and to show the presence of the toshigami. It is also customary to place kadomatsu, an arrangement of tree sprigs, beside the entrance way.

In the Imperial Palace at dawn on the 1st of the emperor performs the rite of shihhaiworship of the four quarters,in which he does reverence in the direction of various shrines and imperial tombs and offers prayers for the wellbeing of the nation. Traditionally three shrines or temples are visited. With each ring one desire is dispelled. The first day of the year ganjitsu is usually spent with members of the family. People also visit Buddhist temples to hear the temple bells rung times at joya no kane.

Before the New Year, homes are cleaned, debts are paid off, and osechi food in lacquered trays for the New Year is prepared or bought. Many people visit Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. The tallstemmed Japanese iris is symbolic flower. The house is then decorated in the traditional fashion sacred rope of straw shimenawa with dangling white paper strips shide is hung over the front door to prevent evil spirits from entering and to show the presence of the toshigami. Exchanging New Years greeting cards similar to Christmas Cards in Western countries is another important Japanese custom.

This is one of the popular events during spring. Many people visit Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. Some games played at New Years are karuta card game and hanetsuki similar to badminton. Originally 5th was festival for boys corresponding to the Doll Festival, for girls, but in it was renamed Childrens Day and made national holiday. This is in preparation for the new year holidays. fair is traditionally held in late at shrines, temples or in local neighborhoods. On the 2nd and 3rd days acquaintances visit one another to extend greetings nenshi and sip otoso spiced rice wine.
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