恵方 – Ehō
Ehō means “lucky direction” in Japanese and it is the direction where the Lucky Goddess or Toshitokujin (歳徳神) is based on the …
豆まき – Bean Throwing
People in ancient Japan believed that they got sick due to evil spirits when the season changed. The bean-throwing ceremony or mamemaki …
Sushi Workshop
Date: 2/2/18 (Friday) Time: 6-9pm There will be two workshops; 6:00-7:15 & 7:30-8:45pm. The workshop 7:30-8:45pm is already full. Please do not …
節分 – Setsubun
Setsubun literally means “dividing season” and it is the day before the beginning of spring according to the traditional East Asian calendar. …
七福神 – Seven Lucky Gods
In Japanese mythology the Seven Lucky Gods are worshiped as fortune bringers. The Seven Lucky Gods are Hotei, Jurōjin, Fukurokuju, Bishamonten, Benzaiten, …
鏡開き – Kagami Biraki
Kagami biraki means “to open the mirror” in Japanese. The mochi that was offered to Toshigami-sama as a Shōgatsu kazari is called …
福むすめ – Fuku Musume
The English translation of “fuku musume” would be “fortune girls”. The Imamiya Ebisu Shrine in Osaka receives over 3000 applications per year …
謹賀新年 – Happy New Year
“謹賀新年” is read as kinga shinnen. It means “happy new year” in Japanese, but it is only used as a written greeting for nengajo, …
大晦日 – New Year’s Eve 2017
New Year’s Eve is called Ōmisoka in Japanese. Through the ages Japanese people have believed that the Shinto God, Toshigami will visit …
正月飾り – Shōgatsu Kazari
Shōgatsu kazari is the generic term of all types of Japanese New Year’s decorations. Shōgatsu kazari is usually suggested to be put …