If you’re in Japan in mid-January, you would possibly stumble throughout a shocking winter scene like a towering bonfire blazing in a shrine yard, neighbors warming their palms and skewers of mochi (rice cake) slowly charring over open flames. This is dondo-yaki, one in every of Japan’s strongest seasonal traditions — and a simple option to expertise native tradition as soon as the New Year crowds fade. It’s a communal vacation about wrapping up the 12 months correctly, collectively.
What is Dondo-yaki?
When Is Dondo-yaki?
Can Anyone Participate?
What is Dondo-Yaki?
Dondo-yaki (additionally known as Tondoyaki or Sagicho in some areas) is a conventional hearth ritual held to mark the tip of Japan’s New Year celebrations. It actually means “crackling bonfire,” named after the Japanese onomatopoeia of flames as communities burn New Year’s decorations to ship the 12 months’s spirits off and begin recent.
People carry New Year objects like shimenawa ropes, kadomatsu pine decorations, previous omamori charms, daruma dolls and kakizome calligraphy, then burn them collectively in a big communal hearth.
In Shinto perception, the New Year deity (Toshigami) visits properties in the course of the holidays to carry blessings for the 12 months forward. Burning these decorations is a means of respectfully sending that spirit again, clearing the slate and asking for continued well being, security and success. The rising smoke is believed to hold prayers upward, making the ritual symbolic and giving mochi that additional oomph.
When Is Dondo-Yaki?
There’s no single nationwide date, however dondo-yaki is tied to mid-January, round Koshogatsu (小正月), or “Little New Year.”
In most elements of Japan, occasions happen between January 12 and January 18, typically centered on January 14 or 15, or moved to the closest weekend for comfort. In different phrases, for those who’re in Japan in the course of the second or third week of January, chances are high good one is going on someplace close by.
Tokyo
- Torigoe Shrine: One of Tokyo’s most well-known tondo yaki occasions.
- Hie Shrine: A central Tokyo shrine with a extra formal ceremony (typically round Jan. 14)
Kanto (Outside Tokyo)
- Boso no Mura: An Edo-period open-air museum that hosts a visitor-friendly dondo-yaki. Typically held in mid-January.
Kansai
Nagano / Chubu
- Togakushi Shrine: One of the most important and most dramatic dondo-yaki festivals in Japan. Typically held round Jan. 18.
Can Anyone Participate?
In most instances, sure. Dondo-yaki is an area occasion, however guests are usually welcome to look at and infrequently welcome to take part, so long as they comply with native guidelines.
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