Kantonese New Year

**Kantonese New Year** (米矢り; あすやり) is a holiday observed in Kanton, and marks the beginning of a new lunar year. It is one of the most important traditional holidays in the country. It is classified as a national holiday, and is usually treated as a time of new beginnings, personal reflection, and religious worship.

During this period, Kantonese people often visit their families, attend communal temples/shrines, wear *sōgi* (装衫), cook lots of traditional food, and participate in parades or public gatherings. The holding of certain events is considered auspicious during the New Year, notably weddings and graduation ceremonies. It is advised that any outstanding debts, either financial or figurative, should be taken care of; that extended family members visit each other, and that people abstain from drinking alcohol or having sex. The New Year generally lasts from January 1st to 5th.

The last night of the year is called Wakazaku and is a time for partying, festivities and overindulgence before the busy New Year period.

## Names and etymology

The New Year period has been known by a number of names, both colloquial and official, throughout history. The most common of these is Asuyari (米矢り, 'changing of the seasons'), which is still used by many today, especially in rural areas. In formal settings, and on official documents, the period is referred to as Saigō (犀自, 'new year'). The usage of other names, including *rakuyari* (暦矢り), *asumachi* (米萦), and *tenyū* (束夕), depends largely on region. For example, *rakuyari* is common in the north, *asumachi* is found most often in the south, and *Tenyū* originated in the Eibun region, and is the most common aside from *asuyari*.

## Events

### First day of the New Year (犀沒, *saimei*)

On the first day of the New Year, it is customary to visit one’s nearest communal temple or shrine, in order to cleanse one’s body and mind, and attempt to make goodwill with the spirits; this event is known as *kanmon* (韩崇). Also, it is encouraged that visitors buy a prophecy and accompanying good luck charm (*umazu*) in order to see the predictions for the coming year of their life. Worship at temples is often brief, as most people prefer to pray privately within their own homes.

Upon arriving home, it is customary to light frankincense (*hatsujiku*) by one’s household shrine, so as to appease the ancestral spirits, and also leave an offering of heavily salted fried rice. After this has been done, one should pray and ask for forgiveness of any sins that may have been committed during the past year. This prayer should be repeated throughout the four days of holiday.

### Second day of the New Year (啸沒, *shinmei*)

On the second day, focus turns to cleaning out and tidying one’s home, symbolic of the ‘fresh beginning’ that the New Year is associated with.

Traditionally, any wooden furniture is treated with hazelnut oil, and sticks of white sage incense (*iruijiku*) are burned throughout the house in order to purify the air. It is also advised to get rid of any old luck charms that one might have lying around, by cleaning them with salt water and then burning them. Additionally, if one received a prophecy that predicted future curses or poor fortune, it is generally advised to burn the paper over a stick of bamboo incense (*takejiku*). However, some believe that this will increase one’s misfortune twice over.

### Third day of the New Year (渀沒, *danmei*)

On the third day, activities often become separated by gender. Women are encouraged to make a large amount of food in preparation for the fourth and final day of celebrations, while men are advised to take care of any outstanding debts, financial matters, and also to complete any tasks they may have been putting off. It is considered auspicious to be very productive on the third day, as it is said to carry over into the new year and ensure continued abundance and prosperity for the family. Of course, gender-specific roles may change according to circumstance, and are never fixed in place.

Children often visit their grandparents on this day, bringing them gifts of material value such as food, money or new clothing. It is customary for the grandparents to give the children small amounts of money in return.

### Fourth day of the New Year (親沒, *reimei*)

On the fourth and final day of the New Year, people are able to take part in a wide variety of activities. In the morning, relatives will arrive at the house and a communal meal will be eaten, ending with brief worship. In the afternoon, there are usually neighbourhood parades and festivals held, often featuring theatre performed in traditional costumes, singing, dancing, poetry recital, and live music. After the festivities, it is customary for the family to pay another visit to their local temple and stay for a period of intense worship, usually led by a priest. Many people also choose to have meals at traditional restaurants.

In the evening, the family comes together for another large meal, after which an extensive period of prayer and worship will usually commence. At the end of the evening, usually between the hours of ten o’clock to midnight, a ceremony known as *nominoki* is conducted, during which each member of the family writes their wish, hope or resolution for the year on a slip of scented paper. This message is known as *ennomi*. The paper is rolled tightly, then placed in a pot which is then filled with salt water and left overnight. In the morning, each person checks their slip of paper. The slip on which ink has smudged the most is said to be the most unlikely wish to come true, while the least smudged paper is said to be considered to be very auspicious.

## Food

A selection of dishes are eaten during the New Year celebrations, collectively called *yarimeshi* (矢り餌). Many of these dishes are salted, pickled, or dried in order to keep without refrigeration: the culinary traditions date to a time before households had refrigerators and when most stores closed for the holidays. There are many variations of *yarimeshi*, and some foods eaten in one region are not eaten in other places on New Year's Day. One popular dish is *nappan*, a vegetable pancake seasoned with herbs and spices. It is also common to eat skewers of fried fish, octopus and egg called *izashiki* on Wakazaku. Herbal teas and light *giri* are usually consumed on the last day of the celebrations to let the stomach rest.

## Ringing of the bells

At midnight on December 31, Kiren temples all over Kanton ring their bells a total of twelve times in a ritual known as jūdzuno-noki in order to ward away evil spirits and any undesirable sins which may have developed within the average Kantonese citizen over the course of the year, such as jealousy, ill will, or greed. It is traditionally believed that ringing bells can protect against evil forces and prevent one from being overwhelmed by the innate defects of human nature.

## Greetings and well-wishing

The end of December is the busiest period for Kantonese post offices. There is a custom of sending New Year's Day postcards (自招信 *gōryōga*) to friends and relatives, similar to the Western custom of sending Christmas cards. The original purpose of these cards, in times when travel was difficult and often time-consuming, was to give tidings of oneself and one's immediate family to those who lived far away (and therefore whom one did not often see) signify that one was alive and well. The messages in the postcards are usually written in calligraphy, as a sign of consideration and respect to the receiver, and can be decorated, stamped or otherwise customised as the sender wishes. In modern times, digital versions of *gōryōga* are growing more and more common.

Conventional greetings include:

* *asuyari no mie* [米矢りの善, blessings of the New Year)
* *nagō ni omiki* (那自に淤き, [may you have] good fortune this coming year)
* *akateru meiki* (空かてる冢気, happiness to you on the dawn [of New Year's Day])
* *yō omiki* [よう淤き, [may you have] happiness soon) - usually given to children

## Traditions

There are thousands of New Year-related traditions found all over Kanton, many only practiced in specific regions. Rituals observed in the Honzura region are very different to those in the Taisui region, and there is much variation.

The most widespread national custom, shared by the majority of regions, is *wakate* (盒斐, literally, 'starting-step') which starts immediately after midnight for New Year's Day. Individuals are chosen to be the first person to cross the threshold of a friend or neighbour and deliver gifts to their household, such as salt, rice wine, sugar, herbs and spices, sweet treats and pancakes. Food and drink are then given to the guests. This may go on throughout the early hours of the morning, although the cut-off point is around dawn. It is considered unlucky for a house to not receive a visitor during this period. Traditionally, tall women with long hair are preferred as the first guests.

Other customs include:

* Fireworks festivals (known as *shinwaka machi* 行盒萦)
* Nonori-Kōki
* Performing dances known as *tsunoyoi* (敲枪い) while ringing small bells
* Purification of the home with sandalwood incense
* Building bonfires (*tarehi*)
* Writing symbolic poetry, and/or holding poetry competitions (the first poem written on New Year's Day is known as *kannokatami*)
* Practicing calligraphy, and/or holding calligraphy competitions (the first piece of calligraphy drawn on New Year's Day is known as *kannobi*)