What does the Japanese Santa Claus look like?

The beginning of the new year is celebrated by all the peoples of the world. Not all nationalities and nationalities coincide with the dates of counting, but despite this, we are all equally pleased with this holiday every time. What are the traditions of celebrating the New Year in Japan and is there a Japanese Santa Claus?

East is a delicate matter

Never try to tell the Japanese about the battle of the chimes on New Year's Eve. The thing is that in the Land of the Rising Sun, the approach of the New Year is marked by 108 strokes of the bell. However, there is something in common between our cultures - the holiday is celebrated on the night of December 31st on the first of January. It is believed that the existence of a man complicates 108 pernicious passions, and the New Year's bell with each blow drives one of these vices, foreshadowing a good year.

Preparation for the holiday in Japan necessarily includes the installation of Kadomatsu - a special gate made of bamboo and pine branches in front of the house. It is believed that it is through them that the Japanese Santa Claus passes. Rich families also set up in front of their houses a tree of a blossoming peach, plum or pine.

Segatsu-san - "Mr. January"

There is a special New Year's magician in Japan. Japanese Santa Claus Segatsu-san is radically different from his colleague from Russia. Literally the name of this elder can be translated into Russian as "Mr. January". Residents of the Land of the Rising Sun are waiting for a whole week, when Segatsu-san comes to their house and congratulates them on the holiday. What is interesting is that the New Year's wizard does not give presents to children or adults. Representatives of the younger generation from infancy know that they can only rely on presents from their parents. The time when "Mister January" congratulates the Japanese on holidays is called "golden week".

Japanese Santa Claus costume is also quite original and atypical for the New Year's wizard. The elder is dressed in a green festive kimono and a traditional headdress. But a thick white beard with a mustache, descending almost to the floor, gives Segatsu-san considerable similarity with his Russian brother.

Two Santa Claus of one country?

While Japanese fashion, technology and art conquer the world, the people of the Land of the Rising Sun are interested in unusual European and American traditions. Not so long ago in Japan appeared the second New Year's wizard. His name is Odzi-san. And if Segatsu-san is a Japanese Santa Claus, then the beginner, rather, is the eastern counterpart of Santa Claus. Why do the people of the Land of the Rising Sun need a second Santa Claus? It's simple: Oji-san, like many other New Year's wizards, brings gifts to children who have been well behaved for a year. It's no wonder that many kids are looking forward to it for their holiday. It is worth noting that the new Japanese Santa Claus even visually very similar to Santa Claus.

The change in the traditions of celebrating the beginning of the year is not very popular among the older generation. If children cease to believe in Segatsu-san, an important element of folk culture and folklore will be lost in its original and original meaning.