5 most popular Japanese traditions

Japan respects and follow many traditions. No matter at home or at office, they follow them strictly. A slightest mistake could lead to punishment by the elders.
There are more than hundreds of traditions in Japan. All the traditions are associated with etiquette, politeness, manners or old superstition.
So today we have listed 5 such Japanese traditions in our article. Hope you'll enjoy it! :)

                                      

                                                            5. Satsubun

Satsubun is celebrated the day before beginning of spring in Japan. Satsubun actually means "SEASONAL DIVISION". It usually falls on or around February 3. In it's association with the Lunar New Year, Spring Satsubun can be and was thought of as a New Year's eve.

Satsubun is usually accompanied by a special ritual called "Mamimaki" to ward away the evil spirits of the previous year and drive away disease bringing evil spirits for the upcoming year. Traditionally this ritual is done by throwing roasted soybeans either out of the door or at a family member [[usually father]] wearing a an "Ori" or the demon mask, while saying "Oni wa soto! [ Get out demon! ], Fukuwa uchi! [ Come in happiness ]". These beans are called Fuku mame, which means "Fortunr Beans". This ritual is usually done in one's home, but many people visit shrines and temples where it's perfomed.

These beans are believed to purify the home by driving away evil spirits that causes misfortune and bad health in the family.

4. Dondo Yaki

Dando Yaki is a custom of burning old lucky items in Japan. It is held in various regions in Japan, after the New Year holidays are over

This is usually held around january 15. 

In this custom, people build a tower with bamboo, Japanese cedar, straws and reeds in an open area, like the temple ground and burns the lucky items from the previous year in it as a thanks. They also burns some other stuffs in it too. It is believed that you will grow younger if you warm yourself at the fire of Dondo Yaki. If you burn your first calligraphy in the fire, your handwriting skills will improve and you will grow wiser. It is also believed that you will remain healthy throughout the year if ypu eat rice cakes or Mandarin oranges grilled in the ember of the Dondo Yaki. Crops will grow well if you spread Dondo Yaki's ash on the field. 

A sacred fire with so many qualities.

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3. Toronagashi

Toronagashi (Toro-nagashi) is a tradition in which people float paper lantern down in a river. This is traditionally done on the evening of Bon Festival (A festival in Japan to honor the spirit's of one's ancestors). It is believed that it will guide the soul of departed to the spirit world.

Toronagashi is celebrated during the Obon Holiday, when it is believed that spirits of the loved ones return to the world. 

Toronagash may also take  place on other days of the year too, for reasons like the commemoration of the lost in Hiroshima bombing or those who died on Japan Airline flight 123.

2. Koinobori

Koinobori means "carp streamer" in Japanese. Koinobori are carp shaped wind socks traditionally flown in Japan to celebrate Childrens day. These wind socks are made by drawing carp patterns on paper, cloth or other non woven fabric. They are then allowed to flutter in the wind. These wind socks are also called "Satsuki-nobori"

Koinobori is related to an ancient story, about how a carp swimmed against the river flow and became a dragon. Koinobori is usually placed by riverside or in front of the homes with children. Koinobori in the sky represents a healthy childhood.

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1.Mochitsuki

Mochitsuki is an important traditional event in Japan. Mochitsuki means pounding rice to make mochi or rice balls. It is usually done before new year or from around 25th to 28th December.

The process is quite simple. A special type of sticky rice, that has been in water over night, steamed is placed in a large bowl, made of wood called "Usu". A big hammer like Kine [ which is usually very heavy ] is used to pound the rice into paste. As  Kine is heavy, so when mochi is made by a family together, usually the father do all the heavy duty. Yup you're correct! Pounding the rice. The mother also helps him by regularly shifting the rice in the Usu with the moisturised hands, to prevent the mochi from sticking. After it's done, the mother and children shapes the mochi into small portions. 

After the mochi or rice balls are made, some are kept aside as offering to the gods.

People start eating the homemade mochi with the dawn of the new year. The Japanese believe that, all the materials have a spirit and mochi contains the spirit of rice and so eating mochi will help them get the spirit of the rice for the new year.

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