Old New Year

Happy Year to everybody out there !
I can hear some people saying : "We have just spent the New Year some weeks ago, what are you talking about ?".
Well it is true but the 22nd of January is another New Year which is also celebrated by some people while to a very little extent in Japan : The Chinese New Year as it is called in the West. Actually it is called "kyu shogatsu" over here, "old New Year" because it used to be the official New Year in Japan since it was imported in ancient times. Now it is not really celebrated so much actually, but the term "old New Year" remains and some events are organised in the Tokyo area.

The first and foremost place where it is celebrated is of course China Town in Yokohama (some minutes away from Tokyo by train). For example, during the period going from 23 through 6th of February a festival was held there. A count-down was organised on the 22d and it was accompanied by a big choir. Then on the 23d, you could see a Shishimai or  "Japanese Lion dance" all over China Town. It consists in two lions accompanied by bamboo flutes and drums and is  performed as a prayer for household safety and a good harvest. Usually, one or two people wearing the lion costume, and one or two lions dancing. At the end of the dance, the lion "bites" the heads of some watchers, to bring luck.

The festival lasts until the 6th of February and other events and performances will be organised up to that day. For example a parade with people in costumes next Sunday. What about checking some of them. Technically, it is not particularly a "Japanese" event but Japan being close to China geographically and the Chinese community being large, I assume these events held in China Town, Yokohama to be pretty authentic. If you have never been to Yokohama, that may also be the occasion to take a walk near the sea and inside Yokohama city, you won't regret it !


Benji


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