Japan's profile

Japan (Japan), the full name of Japan, located in the eastern part of Asia, the Pacific northwest.Name meaning "sunrise", territory by the four largest island, Hokkaido, honshu, shikoku, and kyushu and more than 7200 islands, with a total area of 37.8 square kilometers.And family is the main ethnic, Japanese, a population of about 126 million.

From the 3rd century, its "and" within the larger countries.In A.D. 645, the Japanese learn from China in the tang dynasty, the flow of new instead.Late in the 12th century, into the shogun.

In 1868, the Japanese and learn from European and American powers, the Meiji restoration, rapidly among the ranks of capitalist powers, foreign gradually invasion expansion path of militarism, has repeatedly invaded China, north Korea and other Asian countries.After the Japanese surrender the second world war, the United States sent troops occupied Japan.In 1947, a new constitution by TianHuangZhi country into the national symbol for the emperor's parliamentary cabinet."Heavy economy, Japan's post-war light arms" route, in the late 1960 s become the first big economic power to the far east.In the 1990 s, its economy into a prolonged slump, and face serious social problems, such as ageing, country but it is still is second only to the United States, China, the world's third largest economy.

Japan is a highly developed capitalist countries.The lack of resources and extreme dependence on imports, highly developed manufacturing industry is the main pillar of the national economy.The scientific research and development ability is very strong, have a large number of multinational companies and research institutions, scientific research funds accounted for about 3.1% of GDP, the country each year the proportion among the developed countries.In addition, the cultural industry headed by animation and game industry and tourism is also an important symbol of the rich.Japan in many aspects, such as environmental protection, resource utilization is exemplary, its citizens generally have good education, and higher living standards of the national quality.Up to now, it is still well preserved the represented by the tea ceremony, ikebana, a kind of traditional Japanese culture.

Japan's traditional festival custom

New Year's Day- there have been celebrating the New Year on January 1, folk customs, but as the national holiday in 1948.According to tradition, "big grey day" (New Year's eve) for cleaning.Door on the pine, bamboo and plum (" loose ") (now has been changed to more pictures instead of), in order to show good lucky for you.Eat on New Year's eve, the whole family eat noodles (buckwheat noodles), the Chinese New Year meal side for the New Year's broadcast television, side waiting for the New Year bell, called "shou sui".New Year's day breakfast miscellaneous boiled (rice cake soup), drink spiced sake, "" royal festival meal (all kinds of delicious and festival food).New Year's day vacation 5 ~ 7 days.Coming-of-age day - the second Monday of January each year as a national holiday in 1948.According to Japanese law: for adult at the age of 20.This day every young age to take part in the adult ceremony dressed in costumes.And to this day as a new starting point of life, began to have the legal rights and obligations.On February 11, anniversary of the founding of the Japanese myths and legends, February 11, 660 BC, emperor unified establish Japan, after Japan and the Japan's first generation of the emperor.Old () before the end of world war ii called "era", was abolished in 1945, in 1966 renamed maldives after recovery.

Anniversary of the founding of the February 11, 1966 in December, the sato administration proposed on February 11, as the anniversary of the founding of the people, in the second year.Why on February 11, 660 BC the first generation of emperor's accession.

On March 15, sakura offering - march cherry blossoms in full bloom, the Japanese people think cherry blossom has the elegance, stiffness, delicate and pretty simple and independent spirit.They put the cherry blossoms as a symbol of the industrious, brave and wisdom.Usually people choose to travel at this time in Japan, cherry blossoms, is also a praise of nature, loosen body and mind to a great moment.But it the same day, same plant flowering may not always have successively;And cherry blossoms flowering time is short, so the selected in the cherry blossom viewing March 15 (in mid-march) as the cherry blossom festival (at that time most cherry blossoms opened, and also early sakura has not been fully x).The cherry blossom is the national flower of Japan."To ask and the soul, chaoyang mountain under sakura."Cherry blossoms in Japan already has a history of more than one thousand years, Japanese people believe that life is short, live it is shining like cherry blossoms.Moreover, cherry blossoms warm, pure, noble, after winter, it was the first to bring the message of spring.Therefore, the Japanese government put every year on March 15 to April 15, as a "cherry".At this time, people with relatives, invite friends over and sit on the floor under the cherry trees, cherry blossoms, while drinking, it is a great thing in life.

Sections - pray for the girl on March 3, the healthy growth and happiness.

Spring equinox - March 20 old name "spiritual sacrifices the emperor", the day of ancestor worship is the emperor of the spring, the Japanese also have grave activity on this day, the sacrifice of his ancestors.On this day, also is the praise of nature, love life.

Green day - the original hirohito's birthday on April 29

On May 3, 1947 anniversary of the constitution on May 3 constitution practice day by day

Boys - day wish boys thrive on May 5, 1948 as a national holiday (old called"The Dragon Boat Festival"), as a boy's festival.On that day all families with boys are on the roof hanging cloth big carp (called a "carp signs"), calamus on the door leaf, the whole family eat cake regiment rice dumplings.

Summer offerings - August 15, the government holds a memorial parade on this day, the government and the private club will hold many performances, people put on beautiful kimono, took to the streets to go shopping,To buy things, to participate in recreational activities (i.e., said China's garden);The perimeter of the store also can be decorated, on this day in a variety of special events.This temple fair of the original custom originally came from China, and later spread to Japan, the combination of native culture of Japan, have all kinds of memorial activities today, Japan gradually formed their own national culture characteristics.

Yu - lunar July 15th in lunar July 15.Obon is one of the largest traditional Japanese folk festival, also known as "soul sacrifice", "Lantern Festival", "Buddhism all souls will", etc., the original is back to the day of ancestor worship, prayer blessing first and now is a happy family reunion and village festival.Each obon, Japanese companies are 7 to 15 days vacation, people back to hometown together.People living in small towns and rural areas will wear summer single kimono obon dance.

Month, according to the lunar calendar in August 15, mostly in the east had a habit of moon, Japan on August 15 this day will be prepared to have balls, seasonal fruits such as items in the window to worship the moon, and then enjoy the moon.The moon high up in the clear autumn sky will appear of the United States, all for the Japanese take farmers as this, the original intention is for the form of a fruitful harvest, but in what is now is just the moon.

Day for the old, on September 15, 1966 as a national holiday, to contribute to the society of the old man's respect, and wish them longevity and health.On this day all over the country held a celebration, presented a souvenir to the old man.

Equinox - September 23 old name "autumn huang ling offering", was the day of ancestor worship the emperor of the autumn.Folk worship our ancestors in this day, in memory of ancestors.

Sports - on October 10, 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games, was declared a national holiday in 1966.The autumn sports meeting generally held in the day.

Cultural festival, on November 3 in 1937.Used to be called "Meiji festival", was built in memory of the Meiji emperor's birthday.Now as to the scientific and cultural undertakings in people with outstanding contribution award medal of "culture".Medal engraved with chrysanthemum pattern, so also known as "chrysanthemum day".On this day all levels of schools are closed, organize some meaningful activities.

Children's day- on November 15, especially for 7 years old and 3 year old girl, and her 5-year-old boy's festival.

Thank you labor day - Nov. 23 in 1948.Used to be called "new taste", is the day when the emperor to taste new m.This day is also respect for labor, to celebrate the day of production.

On December 23, birth of the emperor, emperor akihito was born on December 23, 1933.Anniversary of the founding of the people: on February 11, according to the Gregorian calendar calculated in the New Year's day of the first year of the ancient emperor.

Christmas- December 25 is not only for christians in Japan, there are a lot of people will be in the Christmas Eve with your family or boyfriend and girlfriend exchange Christmas gifts and enjoy this wonderful Christmas dinner.Usually also prepare a decorative style of cake to celebrate Christmas.To stimulate consumption to each department stores and businesses will start before Christmas hype so-called Christmas activities.Around every year and a half months after November, department stores and shops street will decorate very beautiful, and then began a series of Christmas sales.

Japan's traditional festival commemorate

The northern territories: on February 7.On February 7, 1855, Japan and Russia has concluded the day Russia have friendly relations treaty (namely "cultivator, treaty"), four northern islands as Japanese territory.On January 6, 1981, the Japanese government held a cabinet meeting decided to formally February 7, as the "northern territories", to promote the movement of its northern territories.

The bikini: March 1.On March 1, 1954, the United States over the bikini hydrogen bomb explosion, killing more than 20 Japanese crew members.The Japanese people held each year on this day, against the policy of aggression and nuclearThe warPolicy.

Admission: in Japan, the school a new school year, young children into the garden ceremony, welcome the couple are held in April, cherry blossoms in full bloom.In Japan, so at the beginning, all things for granted.

Alpine offerings: on April 14 and 15.Mountain is gifu prefecture mountain city sacrifice "produce earth god" day shrine annual holiday.Luxury floats organized by the city from all walks of life to participate in the festival, every street in the city.

Summer day: tens of thousands of people in Tokyo, the shallow grass to celebrate the three-day summer festival, to meet the arrival of the summer.

Mount Fuji, "first" day: July 1.Thus began climbing season every year.

Kyoto "big words" send fire section: August 16.City eastern suburb in Beijing ruyi yue (also called big text mountain) held yu.Has 75 seats in the center of the mountain, fire bed, form a "big" word, relax wood chopping wood in the fire bed, around eight o 'clock in the evening at the same time the fire burning."Big" word of the first stroke is 73 meters long, 146 meters long from the second, third is 124 meters long.According to legend, once upon a time flexibly yue foothills asked monasteriesThe fire, the temple of the Lord Buddha amida tathagata rose glow on the top of the mountain, illuminates the quartet.Since this was "send fire festival, held each year to commemorate amitabha Buddha's efficacy.

Disaster prevention day: on September 1.Japan's kantoThe earthquakeJapan, after each session in every year on September 1, the day for disaster prevention of different scales or exercise training.

The toiletDay: on November 10th.Japan toilet association in January 1986 in the first toilet symposium on decision for every November 10, "toilet".

Japan's traditional festival

Has developed into a modern society, but the Japanese nation has kept a lot of traditional festivals, follow different diets in different festivals, the other one of the most representative have the following 15 festivals.

1, in the first monthThe Spring Festival.The ancient Japan and China, is in the first month in lunar calendar for the Spring Festival.After the Meiji restoration, Japan "Asia into Europe," the abolition of the lunar calendar adopted the Gregorian calendar, will be a New Year of the Gregorian calendar on January 1, the day is the Spring Festival day in Japan.So far in Japan the festival day still maintained a strong traditional color, Japanese is the most important festivals of the year: national holidays, closed in all walks of life, strip lights hung high, deep families to celebrate the Spring Festival day.Both companies on the door of the shop or home hang a symbol to ward off bad luck "door", auspicious "He Zheng" crayon, posted within the home or shop for a round tower rich cake "mirror" - symbol of great success.Everyone dressed (women are more gorgeous and elegant kimonos) near the home shrine visits, pray for a year of happiness.

In the first month of the diet also characteristic.Ganjitsu early in the morning, the Japanese have to eat "in the" buckwheat, custom of sip red bean porridge."In the" (New Year), buckwheat, also is the new face, containing the meaning of longevity and health;Ormosia boiled sweet porridge, porridge also put in the glutinous rice cake, symbolizes joy and prosperity.Because in Japanese, "bread" (read mochi) words with "a" (having, rich).Said to Japan in the first month of the restaurant, the most distinctive is the "royal festival", namely the feast day.In addition to hot pot cuisine of all the delicacies of mountain and sea, with tuna fish, lobster, abalone, sea bream (tai) scallops column, such as red snakehead seed fish made of senior seafood platter and integrated sushi is the indispensable food, not only does it taste nobility, foil on the grand, and three kinds of colour red seafood platter also symbolizes good fortune as one wishes, moreover decorated lifelike snapper - "eye bream" (medetai) in Japanese with "congratulations, big" homophonic, since ancient times for the festival feast tables are necessary.

2, January 7, seven days.Also called "ren", for the Japanese folk traditional throttle -- five other top (the rest of the festival, respectively, on May 5, July 7, September 9th).On this day, the Japanese seven grass boiled porridge to drink - with celery, shepherd's purse, rat bent grass, and grass, turnip radish (circle), bai luobo, Tian Ping grass, spinach and other seven kinds of vegetables into a dish of porridge.It is said that the seven plants is seven early spring grass, which is over after a long cold winter, the first ground to grow vegetables, with incredible energy, drink porridge, seven grass may help prolong eliminate evil disease.About the origin of the festival, debated and vague.From the edo period, people with a kitchen knife chop shepherd 's-purse porridge boil them seven grass singing "birds don soil, bit to seven grass" ancient customs, it is not difficult to infer the common from the middle tang dynasty.Now the common in mainland China has probably difficult to see, and heritage in Taiwan.According to Taiwan's famous folklore Mr LouZiKuang was the "New Year customs tzu chi" records: the seventh day every year, "of the corn, and by the Taiwan farmers have worked so hard on this day, as if the exhibition, various grain, pick good mixed vegetables to eat, called qibao porridge.Ate after all diseases are said to remove, can live."Many ancient customs more than from the mainland, Taiwan shippo porridge porridge with seven Japanese grass, which eat custom striking similarity in the illustrates just seven grass, custom originated in ancient China.

3, the other day.Japanese proverb cloud: fever but other shore.Japan habits on the limit of the year was not divided two shore, winter to spring the shore and the end of summer autumn the other shore.

In mid-february spring shore: seven days before and after the vernal equinox in mid-february, according to legend this time just when the sun is setting in the west, and also is the western pure land of legend, at that time, the cold is over, a variety of folk activities began, such as visits to a shrine, visiting friends, outside for an outing, Mr. Hirano Yang zheng, etc., at the same time, people making peony bread potherb, colorful sushi and tempura Fried food (vegetable), distribution of relatives and friends neighbors, altogether celebrates the early spring coming.

Autumn in mid-august the shore: rice crop harvest, rural often harvest festival held various activities, such as "harvest thank offerings," fire dance gave, visit rural rice lotus shrine.

4, March 3 "young" - sections.Legend young offering of common originated in ancient China had "section on", after a long s the development of the edo period has evolved into sections and continues today.On this day, the girls put on beautiful kimono after the home near the shrine visits, carrying white, delicate snacks and dishes lunch boxes to visit friends and relatives, to visit the teacher.White wine is made from mirin steamed glutinous rice with could brew but become of the wines, degree is low, the color white as milk, so it is also called "unstrained wine or liquor.Respondents are back gives splendid humanoid, doll, wish health beautiful girl.

5, April 8 FoJie.According to legend this day is the birthday of Lord Buddha, Buddhism came from China to Japan after pouring FoJie.Japanese buddhist many, eachtempleOn this day will be held a grand buddhist ceremony, the temple was decorated with the roof of the peony, peony, lily purple wisteria, swallows, the center of the hall put Buddha statue, visits to the Buddha's hand hold sweet tea water on the Buddha, wash away dirt, after visiting the rest of the sweet tea home with ink, and write down the number of "five great bodhisattva", put in the wardrobe, it is said to avoid pest;Such as writing stick in the patio, eight dragon king "tea" can be exempted from natural disasters at such a time.

The irrigation FoJie bonito smoked fish is one of the most representative food in Tokyo.Bonito, also known as pine fish or fish;Its shape looks like a spindle in southern fujian province known as "plumb fish", the body meat flavour is acerbity, deep sea fish is a kind of very cheap.But in Japan the situation is high and luxuriant.Bonito Japanese reading into "KATSUO", and "male" "wins the male" homophonic, thus the warrior dominant edo period is regarded as treasure stunner flocking and worth one hundred times, especially in the late spring early summer between newly listed bonito is the flower of kaolin, and thus have "bonito early pawn wife the house to eat."The use of.At the beginning of bonito, is April ChuXun catches fish.Derived from the edo era three hundred years ago at the beginning of the middle of the bonito tats on how to eat is having a unique style, going to loose the fish delicious develops acme: loose fish discharge after skull, signed with iron in the meat, on fuel selengensis roast, selengensis burning heat stability, and with a distinctive vegetation incense, seeping into the body make more delicious smell.After waiting for body skin coking to soak in ice water.This hot a cold two process philosophically it quite intriguing.Selengensis on baking effect are two: one is the sterilization, the second body fat within the surface seepage flesh, delicious can add bonito.The reason of burnt body soak in ice water, muscle fiber within the body heat expansion and loose, soak in ice water, cold air after a sudden contraction, the fish will be full of flexibility.Flooding 30 ran out into the freezer frozen harden again slice, yards, sprinkle with scallions, and then stained with ginger and garlic mustard seasoning sauce, taste cool and refreshing, and freshness to deprive a person is in the sashimi acura, alcoholic food.

6, Dragon Boat Festival is May 5.In Japanese is also known as "flag day".And there is no doubt that the common issue from China, just after the evolution, the contents of meaning are different from Chinese ancient customs.It is traditionally Japanese men festival, because "flag" and "martial" in Japanese in Chinese.This day many door hanging calamus, outside hanging the carp, knife, gun bunting, decorated with the room porch place wearing armor carrying calamus knife warrior, a man must also money soup - calamus bath bubble bath.In ancient times, people can see the flag of snake insect detoxification, and believe in the day time sequence change bath with it, can be evil evil, in addition to eliminate evil disease.According to the old town lane, "the old man said, in the past people in this day and calamus drink of vulgar, now do not smell.But until today still eat sweet rice dumplings and bread.

The day of June 7, soil use.General 18 days before the beginning of autumn for soil in days of summer, equivalent to China's lunar calendar slight heat, because is arranging farming farming society, now increasingly and weaker in the city, but the soil with day, handed down from the custom of eating Chinese eel, its specific practice is: will the eel cut along the spine, boneless, cut sheet, 20 cm into the pot, add soy sauce, mirin, sugar, wine stewed to ruwei remove, drain juice again in charcoal roasted, tile lunch box, and then apply a layer of eel sauce, chili powder, and up the hill with crisp sweet.Soil with a day of a year the most hot section sequence, eating Chinese eel to avoid heat has soared, increasing the body resistance.Now Japan has even made Chinese eel rice shop, always seen at this time of year.

8, qixi festival offerings.Japan's the origin of the Chinese valentine's day originated in China, vega and shed machine female - vega in Japanese folk legend.This is a day of traditional JapaneseValentine's dayTown, street, alley with a bamboo pole, bamboo pole hanging lanterns, paper bead lotus, ribbons, gourd, watermelon, abacus and haiku ShiJian, young woman wear the girdle hisa "cafe" shake their fans happy, to dance at the street, or take part in the fireworks, this night, song he and xiao flute, the brilliant lights in the sky, the night sky of fireworks flower likelihood sleet, and neon lights in photograph reflect, from a distant building is a classic and romantic evening.Unmarried girls would take the bait to the temple or shrine free life pond, feeding carp, pray for good marriage at an early date, because "carp" and "love" homophonic, carp symbolize love in Japan.As eat custom of Chinese valentine's day, many people will make carp sushi points to add friends and relatives to taste.

July 9, obon offerings.Japanese July 15 obon offering and the same day, the most important holiday is a national festival.The customs cover from the hungry ghost festival in ancient China, namely folk known as "Halloween".LAN is a Sanskrit, meaning evocation comfort spirit, pray for peace.Its connotation is equal to the south of fujian province and Taiwan "purdue" every July.This morning, people at home after the thorough cleaning, are to meet at ccba, to clean car, the car mountain god spread seats for dojo booths, before the Buddha enshrined the abundance of melon and fruit, pastries, dengaku miscellaneous cooking seafood, fish, interface and assorted sushi, the middle of the field a large barrel wine, please come to the monk yiyi 7 to chant buddhist scripture, until at noon hurrying to end, by the most prestigious in the town street, the old man holding a wooden vertebral cracked open lid, announces the beginning of the dinner party congress and eat and drink until the sun just west leans forward, the whole town to "big obon festival was in full swing.Each block, each town lane cries, too drums, accompanied by melodious flute flute agitation play songs, with rings, men, women and children singing and dancing, sweating, selflessly into the subaltern sexual activity, the strong atmosphere, high mood, style of elegance I such strange foreign traveler also deeply HuaiMu wind flow the aftertaste old country culture, was moved to tears.Yu doctor "Japan wonders poetry -- obon" cloud: "I don't know outside peng pot island, also have merry han nan".It is a pity that the transfer from the north in the book of songs, chu "in the south of the ancient customs, now almost extinct in China.

10, two hundred, hino offerings.210 days since the spring, it is the turn of the season, summer storm happens, while coincided with the flowering period of rice field, the ancient farmers fear will reap the harvest of the abuse by wind and rain, so a sacrificial ritual, prayed for good harvest, known as the "wild" in Japanese, there are mainly yawata offering, mountain king offerings, kanda offering three big sacrifice.Town lane people carry the car god, gods, the complications and flute gong, with mountain flowers, girl flower clumps cakes with persimmon, chestnut, taro, edamame,grapesSuch as the autumn fruits and vegetables to worship the gods, and qi of a fruitful harvest.

Japan's traditional festivals and eating customs

11, September 9thThe double ninth festivalA sentence.Offering "say again" chrysanthemum month, post, citizens or other township residents activity center hall square, displays various kinds thousand posture of chrysanthemum, and chrysanthemum into the lion, unicorn, humanoid, sailing, the modelling of Mount Fuji, lifelike.In the evening, the old people to the town lane in the wine house drink chrysanthemum wine, it is said that drinking the chrysanthemum wine September 9th, can keep on hong long life forever.

October 12, god no customs.Into October, Japan increasingly deep autumn, insect sound, konoha shake down, this month, all the little ritual activities related to the deities, folk legend as the gods are to the legendary cloud countries, so called "god", eight hundred peoples in god but you than to be left guard god care for edo castle (city) in Tokyo, than must is the god of wealth in the Japanese folklore.On October 20, is the god of wealth, of the edo merchants in the store or home portraits hang hui than holding a fishing rod should, as before with the old fashion high footbath consecrate the appearance of the gold and silver ingots live bream sashimi, pointed of rice and other delicacies, banquets to store or care have regular relatives and friends.As the ceremony, the people on both sides of the open feast before acting the buyer the seller, simulate the trade show, bargaining, and call: "two hundred!Two thousand!""Two hundred!Two thousand!"Then a toast chorus with love the business is thriving, bonanza.To this day, in Japanese to put those effort and dream to get rich is not the actual ideas currently Noah to "than to dream about making money".

November 13, the winter solstice, the winter solstice is the longest and the shortest day of the night of the year, since ancient times, Japanese people are of the utmost importance is the winter solstice, the winter solstice customs and forming the Oriental characteristics.On this day, shrine, temples are a traditional religious activities, drink porridge, stewed pumpkin and fugu hotpot.With the Dragon Boat Festival in May of calamus, Japanese folk has left the winter solstice in the ancient customs of the bubble bath of grapefruit soup grapefruit scent, can mouth descaling to evil, after the winter of bubble bath of grapefruit soup can guarantee disease-free rates.It is worth mentioning that, like China, Japan also have winter solstice supplements eat custom, that is the winter solstice fugu hotpot is very famous.To loose dried fish, kelp, kelp, soy sauce into broth, then into the fugu, lees, tofu, cabbage, tricholoma matsutake, crown Daisy, green Chinese onion, roast glutinous rice cake, noodle cooked a big pot, very delicious, it is said that after eating can strengthen body resistance, safe winter.When working in the east Yi Japanese restaurants, when the winter solstice, the boss always let the fish from a large fugu or ð © 1/2 level delighted many customers and ð © delighted many customers and Œ fish (commonly known as the ghost head fish), sliced in half a metre in diameter after a big pot of stew cooked, entire store staff and food, dilute Hu Lu, shao zhu qi, direct eat warm, flushed, full head big sweat, the house quickly

14 for old quarter.At the end of December for a year Japanese called "royal the close of the year", is the busiest time of the year.The activities of the various new exception is various, one of the most famous is the section points of ghost got the beans.Families Fried beans, sheng in the wood (small wooden bucket, m or clear wine) for Buddha or ancestors, the master hand grasp the beans, in the doorway, and bean read aloud a way: ", ghost outside inside."At this time, Fried bean has become a kind of to meet the hasten the spooky items.This custom has a long history, according to Japan's "type of meibutsu record, section and bean custom, starting from the 9th century yu many years, the emperor from the close of the year before the spring begins, the evil ghosts come to fusang island, on the island of penglai as mortals into local family, Dally with mistress, was the hostess conveniently thrown stir-frying blind in both eyes, be defeated and flee.Sa over evil evil do besides, host to the figure of Buddha or ancestral LingQian for prayer, praying to give New Year's blessing.

After section points, families began to busy preparing the New Year's day, to buy necessities, cleaning, pounded loaves of bread, rice cake as a mirror door loose, busy and noisy, full of vitality, one new weather.

15 big dark day, the New Year's eve, December 30.Within all of the Japanese company, the shops are closed, every household in the street lanterns hanging high, strike string, xiao flute sound system is audible, people work for a year before sunset will be home early, around the table warm sitting cross-legged, enjoyed a rich meal - royal festival food, watch the NHK television and pored over New Year in red and white star concert, twelve o 'clock midnight, the Japanese archipelago on all temple bells sounded together, the Japanese people in the New Year's eve heard bells under one hundred and eight ushered in the New Year.