shoogatsu: joya no kane

Joya no kane (除夜の鐘) is the ceremony that marks the start of the new year.

At 12pm on december 31st, buddhist tempels everywhere will ring 108 times with the big bronze bell in the temple gate. This is meant to cleanse the listener from the 108 desires that in buddhist thinking cause us suffering. Everyone is invited to strike the bell, once each.

Afterwards, soba is served at the great fire.

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Next: no fasting at breakfast