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2007-12-07

[Japanese Etiquette / Greetings in the new year]

During the new year, in Japan, they greet with 「(Shin’nen） akemashite, omedetou gozaimasu.」. This means that one is celebrating the fact that a new year that arrived for the other person. Following that they say 「Hon’nen mo douzo yoroshiku onegai shimasu.」. This means “Let’s keep a good relationship in the new year”.

[Nara Lifestyle Guide] How to call an ambulance and dialogue　model
http://www.nifs.or.jp/mobile/eng/guide/emergency/emergency01.html

[Seasonal Life Tips / New year dishes and their origins]

New years’ dishes called “Osechi” are packed beautifully in multitiered boxes and are to be eaten by approximately the 3rd day of the New Year. Each dish holds a wish for prosperous harvest, household security, prosperity for one’s children, etc. For example, black beans, which are called “kuro-mame”, have the meaning of “living diligently” because “mame-ni” means “diligently,” a shrimp hold the meaning that the person will live until his or her back gets bent (like a shrimp’s back), and so on. Osechi can be bought at many stores.