In North America, Christmas is one of the biggest annual holidays, but in Japan the most important and elaborate holiday is Oshogatsu -- the celebration of the New Year. Oshogatsu is typically spent with family. More than just a day, the New Year's holiday typically lasts for a week beginning on December 28 and running through the January 6. This time of the year is full of rich traditions. Observed during the days leading up to New Year's Eve, osoji ("cleaning") is part of the Oshogatsu ritual -- a Japanese equivalent of "spring cleaning." This is observed near the end of the year because the Japanese believe this is a good time to "purify" one's environment -- allowing for a fresh start for the coming twelve months. Osoji has its origins in the religious significance of purification. In Japan, a great deal of time is often spent cleaning up houses, shops and offices. Once the house is clean, a lot of cooking begins in preparation for the traditional New Year's meals. On New Year's Eve, soba noodles are served in houses and temples across Japan just before midnight and eaten as the New Year arrives. On New Year's Day, two traditional Japanese dishes known as O-sechi ryori and O-zoni are served. O-sechi ryori consists of various foods including shrimp, seaweed, eggs, chestnut, and pork, which are considered to be good luck. O-zoni is a sticky rice cake served in a delicious fish-based broth. We encourage everyone to celebrate Oshogatsu. Whether your New Year's celebration is ceremonial or merely culinary, it brings people closer to one another. An important social custom of Oshogatsu is to wish each person you see a Happy New Year. All of us at the Japanese American National Museum wish you and your loved ones a happy, healthy and prosperous 2007! --- If you'll be in the Los Angeles area, come join us for our annual Oshogatsu Family Day Celebration. Click on the links below for details, or to learn about mochitsuki and sushi. December 2002 Oshogatsu Family Festival & First Sundays are For Familiesl on January 6, 2008 Mochitsuki: A New Year's Tradition Asian Zodiac: What Animal Are You? Happy Occasion Origami $7.00 Oshogatsu New Year's Dishes (DVD) $19.95 Zodiac Postcard Set $15.00 Mochi Series Notecard Set $12.00 Okasane Mochi Ornament $12.00 A Hawai'i Japanese New Year with Yuki-Chan $11.95 Okasane and Crane Necklace $8.50 Being Japanese American: A JA Sourcebook for Nikkei, Hapa...& Their Friends $16.95 Nikkei Donburi: A Japanese American Survival Guide $18.95 Let's Sing! Japanese Songs for Kids (CD) $24.00 How the Years Were Named - Kamishibai $39.95 Okasane Necklace $90.00 Okasane Earrings $45.00 Year of the Rat, Er, Mouse Puppets $12.00 Year of the Rat T-shirt $20.00 Rookie Chopsticks $3.00 Paper Mache Daruma (3-1/2") $7.00 Asian Zodiac Pewter Tag Charm Necklace $7.50 Asian Zodiac Pewter Tag Charm Keyring $5.00 Solar Powered Maneki Neko $19.95 Wooden Sushi Bento Set $19.95 Edamame Pin $85.00 Japanese Celebrations - Cherry Blossoms, Lanterns and Stars! $16.95 Year of the Boar T-shirt - Stone Blue Regular price: $20.00 Sale price: $12.99 Traveler's Chopsticks $10.00 Sushi Tie $35.00 Zodiac Tie $40.00 Furochic (Furoshiki) $12.95 Hashi (Chopstick) Manners Tea Cup $7.00 Organic Sencha Green Tea Powder $15.00 CURRENT MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM ENJOY A 10% DISCOUNT ON PURCHASES! Just type in your membership number and expiration date when prompted on the order form. You can join or renew your membership online!! You will receive your member discount on any purchases made on the same order. See the contributions section for more information or other ways to support our programs.