by Jen Ruhl
1. What does toshikoshi soba, which is served on New Year's eve, symbolize?
a. Forgetting the last year
b. Longevity
c. A prosperous new year
d. Wisdom
2. What is osechi ryori?
a. A kind of traditional card game
b. A traditional box of various foods
c. A temple ceremony
d. A popular new year television program
3. What can you expect in your mail slot on the morning of January 1st?
a. A New Year bonus from the BOE
b. Letters from your neighbors wishing you a happy new year
c. New year postcards from Japanese friends (and family)
d. Your NHK bill
4. Which of these, traditionally, is a very important way to begin January 1st?
a. By watching the first sunrise
b. By singing "Auld Lang Syne"
c. By cleaning your house from top to bottom
d. By sleeping off your hangover
5. Which of these activities takes place between January 1st and 3rd?
a. Putting up new year decorations on the doorways
b. Watching the NHK music show
c. Going to a bonenkai party
d. A visit to a shrine or temple
6. Under which circumstances is it inappropriate to send new year postcards?
a. When the recipient has lost his/her job
b. When you moved into a new home
c. When you have had a death in the family
d. When you spent all your money on pachinko
7. What is contained in a pochibukuro (new year envelope)?
a. A letter
b. Good-luck charm
c. Lottery ticket
d. Money
Answers:
1. b. Toshikoshi soba symbolizes longevity. You should not cut soba noodles before eating them!
2. b. Osechi ryori is a sampling of various traditional Japanese foods, which is served in a multi-tiered box.
3. c. New year postcards are delivered only on January 1st. If you want to participate in sending official new year cards, you should buy them or have them printed well in advance. Then, you can bundle them in a rubber band and bring them to the post office (but only after the official receiving dates have begun). You should keep all of the new year cards you receive! Many of them have lottery numbers on them, and the winning numbers are announced on NHK and the post office website after a few weeks!
4. a. Hatsu-hinode, or the first sunrise, is an important event to witness on the first day of a new year. This is supposed to give the day and the year a joyful beginning. (You should clean your house before the new year arrives!)
5. d. The first visit of the new year is usually made to a shrine or temple between January 1st and 3rd. More popular shrines/temples can be incredibly crowded, so prepare your elbows if you want to try out this custom!
6. c. If someone in your family has died, or if you have had extremely sorrowful events happen within the past year, you should not send new year postcards. This is a sign of respect for the dead, and your friends and family members will understand!
7. d. Children receive decorated new year envelopes, usually from their grandparents. These envelopes contain a gift of money, sometimes in very large sums. Your students will be very excited to receive these!