Discussion

Lunar New Year's Day

Celebrations

All but a small handful of countries use the Gregorian calendar, the one most commonly used today, in which the first day of the year is January 1. Previously, many countries and cultures used the lunar calendar, based on the cycles of the moon; especially East Asian countries. Though no longer officially used by countries like China, Korea, the Philippines, Vietnam, Japan and others, the lunar calendar is still culturally and religiously important in many areas, especially at the beginning of each new year.

According to the lunar calendar, the first day of the year falls on the day of the new moon that is the closest to the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. This year, that day is January 29.

Celebrations of the Lunar New Year continue a tradition that is over 3,000 years old in China. It was introduced to Japan in the 6th century. Continuing such ancient traditions preserves a connection with the past, reinforces the sense of a shared community, and inspires, uplifts and renews hope for a positive future.

In Japan, unlike many of the other East Asian countries, much of the traditional cultural significance of the Lunar New Year has shifted to January 1st since adopting the Gregorian calendar in 1872. However, though Lunar New Year is not an official Japanese holiday, some people still stick to traditions during the lunar new year. Children are given gifts of money in red envelopes, and traditional foods are served. The most significant celebrations are held in the Chinatown sections of Yokohama and Nagasaki. There are parades, acrobatics, musical performances, and lantern festivals.

According to Chinese legend, Nian, a terrifying monster, would emerge from its home in the sea every Lunar New Year's Day to wreck havoc on villages. When it was discovered that Nian was afraid of the color red, red lantern festivals were held every Lunar New Year's Day to keep the villages safe. Nian is also scared of loud noises. That is the reason for Chinese firecrackers.

Celebrations on Lunar New Year's Day, sometimes called the Chinese New Year, also has dragon dances. The dragon in this photo is a bit different from the oft seen huge ones at ground level in which a much larger dragon costume is operated inside by a team of performers.

Shishi-mai (Lion Dance)

Less well known is the Shishi-mai (literally Lion Dance). Shishi-mai is not an exclusive lunar new year event, but it is often part of lunar new year celebrations.

It might not look like it, but this shishi is not threatening the old woman. It is helping her. Lion dancers bring good luck and drive away evil spirits. One way this is done is by biting people lightly on the head.

Formal shishi costumes are most often controlled by two performers; one for the head and another for the body and tail. However, costumes for single performers exist, as do very long costumes for a team of performers. The shishi costume above is a one-person version.

Shishi costumes for lion dances come in many different designs--some estimate as many as 9,000 just in Japan--and dance performances are varied, too. Regional customs differ. The most common designs in Japan have a red head and a green silk robe.

This photo of a shishi costume for two performers at the Minagi Shrine in Asakura, Kyūshū shows how different some shishi costumes can be.

Shishi-mai (lion dances) are often accompanied by musicians. Most of the time, the instruments are more portable than the taiko drums shown here.

The tradition of lion dancers are thought to have originated in India or Persia and passed through China on its way to Japan. There have never been lions in Japan before modern times in zoos, so centuries-old Japanese ideas about what lions looked like came from distant tales.

Chrysanthemum

Flowers are part of the Chinese celebration of the lunar new year. Several different types have various kinds of meaning, but the yellow chrysanthemum is probably the most significant. Among other things, yellow chrysanthemums symbolize longevity because of its ability to bloom in cold weather. It is considered to be an ideal gift for elderly people. They also represent happiness and positivity, and the petals are thought to attract wealth. Chrysanthemums are one of the Chinese four gentlemen of the scholars studio, called the shikunshi subjects in Japan.

There are a wide variety of chrysanthemum blossom sizes, shapes, colors, and petals. There is variation in the size and shapes of the leaves and overall plants, too. This is one of the simpler types; close to the original appearance before humans began hybridizing them over 3,500 years ago.

Artwork

All three of this week's classical Japanese art examples are ukiyo-e prints, pictures of the floating world.

Kitagawa Utamaro (1753 – 1806)

This print shows a scene from a kabuki performance featuring two women, one of whom is wearing a shishi costume, suggesting that such things predated the beginning of renjishi. The round object that the other woman is holding is a tsuzumi, a small drum held at one's shoulder while playing it.

he "women" are really onnagata, men who specialized in playing women on stage. 

Katsushika Hokusai (1760 – 1849)

The shishi-mai in the print below is accompanied by Japan's Seven Gods of Good Fortune.

Utagawa Kunisada (1786 – 1865)

The print below appears to be part of a larger work; probably a triptych. It is the most straight forward in its depiction of a shishi-mai.