New Year Event Report

On January 4th 2015, me and others friend that are foreign student of Kochi University
were visited Tojo Sensei house to celebrate New Year and learn Japanese culture about
celebrate New Year event. At first, after we arrive at Tojo Sensei house, Imai sensei already
arrive and welcome us. Then, Imai sensei explain us about the Kadomatsu. Kadomatsu is
Japanese traditional decoration that special for celebrate New Year event. This kadomatsu made
from pine branches, bamboo sticks and plum tree sprigs. At Tojo sensei house, the kadomatsu is
very beautiful, its mixed with ikebana. The kadomatsu is placed two side of the front gate door
(genkan). Beside the hand made kadomatsu, at Tojo sensei house also has artificial version of
kadomatsu that given by Kochi government, its placed at two side of house fence.

(A)

(B)

Figure 1. Kadomatsu (A = Hand Made Kadomatsu) (B= Artificial Kadomatsu)

At Tojo sensei front gate door, there also has Shimenawa. Shimenawa is used for
purification ritual in Shinto religion, its also used for to resist the bad spirit come to our house. Its
made from straw that twisted with rope and add with stripes white paper and sometimes also add
with oranges (mikan) and fern then hung around a place like front door. There are several type of
Shimenawa, its depend on the region in Japan.

(A)

(B)

Figure 2. (A=Imai Sensei explain about Shimenawa) (B= Shimenawa with Ehime Style)

After Imai sensei explain about Kadomatsu and Shimenawa, alternate we enter Tojo
Sensei house and make greetings. The greetings are Akemashite Omedeto Gozaimasu,
Kotoshimo Yorushiku Onegaishimasu, and Tojo sensei welcome us and we enter to her house.
Furthermore we are divided in three group. I am in group B. At first, in group B we learn the New
Year ceremony. We enter the living room of Tojo sensei house, in this room, there is a part side
of room that called Tokonoma, a small part of guest room that usually has a vertical scroll of
calligraphy along with ikebana flowers, its like an altar and become a special part of a house.
Furthermore we learn and practice praying and whishing according to Shinto religion. After that,
we continue with drink and eat the special feast that already prepared for New Year ceremony.

(A)

(B)

Figure 3. (A= Tokonoma) (B= Tojo Sensei Explain New Year Ceremony in Shinto Religion)

Figure 4. New Year Feast

The feast contain several type of dishes, such are sakana no tamago (fish eggs),
kamaboko (fish cakes), kuromame (black soybeans), dry fish and spinach. There also amazake
or sweet sake, but because I am a moslem, I cannot drink the amazake. The dishes is delicious
or oishi, especially sakano no tamago and kamaboko.
After finishing the New Year ceremony, then we continue with learning Japanese
calligraphy. Before join this event, i already decided which word I will learn to write. I was

choosing the inochi or life. For me, write Japanese kanji is difficult because in Indonesia we
dont use kanji word. But Imai teach me very well and with practice a few time so I can wrote the
word nicely. After that, I wrote the word in special paper that already prepared before, I also put
my name and date.

Figure 5. Calligraphy
After finishing the calligraphy lesson, we continue with make makizushi or roller sushi.
We taught by Tomonaga sensei. To make roller sushi, sensei already prepare omelet, rice that
already mixed with sushi vinegar, carrot, mushroom, seaweed or nori and vegetable. We are
using bamboo mat on the bottom side, and then put nori upside the bamboo mat. Furthermore
we start to add rice on the nori and spread the rice carefully, then we put omelet, carrot,
vegetable and mushroom and then we can roll the bamboo mat carefully. I can make good and
nice makizushi. I like this lesson, its because I like sushi, and I will make in the future at my
house.

Figure 6. Makizushi
After finishing third lesson of Japanese we continue with gathering together with others
and Tojo sensei, Imai sensei and Tomonaga Sensei. Then we having party, there many food that
served by sensei. There are sashimi, ozoni soup that contain mochi, it was delicious, and I like it
very much. The other foods are, chicken teriyaki, sashimi and vegetable soup. I like sashimi, but
unfortunately, I already full so I cant eat the sashimi dishes too much. All foods are delicious.

Figure 7. Party
The party continued with games, this games was interested. We played game card, this
game originally played with poem, we must understand and remember the poem. But, because
we are non-Japanese people and we not yet learn about Japanese poem, our sensei changes
the games into interesting games. We are divided into 2 group, and there are 4 winner of us, I am
was one of the winner. Those 4 winner then done jankken to choose one prime winner. But
unfortunately I am lose. The winner got a prize from our sensei. But at the end, we all got prize
from sensei.

Figure 8. Playing Japanese Poem Card

Another activity of this event that also very interesting was using a traditional gown. The
gown is very beautiful, according to sensei, this gown only use for wedding ceremony. I am very
lucky have an opportunity to wear it.

Figure 6. Wearing the Traditional Gown

Shin nen no ipento wa totemo tanoshikatta. I am very grateful that can joint this event. I
hope I can joint another Japanese culture event. At last, thanks you very much for all sensei that
so kindly prepared the party and all the lesson.