Now we have talked about New Year celebrations in Japan, one of the most important events at home and abroad. The celebrations are many and are mixed with more modern but traditional.
Among the latter I talked earlier about the tradition of Joya no kane, something very Buddhist marks the passing of the old year to the new year.
Joya no kane, the ringing of bells at midnight, it is something they hear all the Japanese, in every corner of the country because everywhere there is a Buddhist temple that blows his Tsuri-Gane, an instrument with a bell-shaped side has a fairly long wooden pole that acts as a hammer and is supported by ropes. Look like a gong.
The Japanese and Japanese tend to visit the nearest temple to see the bell and hear its sound symbolic. Kyoto is one of the largest bell in the world and certainly in Japan (74 tonnes) in the Chion-in temple, which every year attracts thousands of visitors. Tradition states that the bell should sound 108 times according to Buddhism because men have 108 sins and them heard the sounds, can be discarded.
New Year is really special for these lands as it takes to think in patterns that showed the action in the coming year. It goes to the temples or Shinto shrines and not in vain for a very popular Japanese proverb says that the New Year is the key to open the year.
Finally, exchange gifts and younger receive from their parents otoshi-dama, a gift that money is usually kept in small envelopes. The sum is large and the children spend on what they want.
Tags: Buddhist marks, Japan, Joya no kane, New Year celebrations, New Year celebrations in Japan, traditional