First Cleanup of the Year

It’s inevitable. You know all those traditional things you put up to welcome in the New Year? They gotta be disposed of eventually.

According to Japanese Shinto tradition, which many in Hawaii follow, that means taking down the kodamatsu, the shimekazari, and the kagami mochi.

Is there a special way to do it? Well of course there is. After all, we’re talking tradition, aren’t we?

First, the mochi, or rice-paste balls. There they sit, perhaps a bit moldy-green or black in spots. How do you get rid of those? By eating them, of course. But you don’t cut them apart. Oh no. You have to break them apart with your fingers or maybe a mallet.

See, the Japanese word for “cut” is kiru, and it’s not an auspicious (success contributing) word. The word hiraki (or biraki) is, however. It means “opening the way” (for good fortune). So, don’t cut it. Rip off the moldy part, and chew on the stale mochi until it’s all gone.

Then, you know those ornamental things (the shimekazari) that you put up at the front door and (perhaps) room entrances? Take them down and place them into a bag. Sprinkle them with salt to “purify,” seal up the bag, and THEN dump it in the trash.

As for your kodamatsu, the bamboo and pine decorations that grace your entrance, don’t throw them away. They need to be burned after January 15 (preferably the 19^th), to appease the toshigami (the deities of the New Year).

So … bash and tear, salt and toss, then burn. There you go. Okay … now you can relax.