TsukuBlog
A Local Perspective on Life in Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
Ringing Out the Old Year, Ringing In The New- Joya no Kane (除夜の鐘) – Japan`s New Year Bells (again)
31 December, 2020
The bell at Hannya-Ji (just off the Tsuchiura-Gakuen Road) dated 1275 was designated a National Treasure during the war years to save it from being melted down to make ammo. After the war it was demoted to an Important Cultural Property.
By Avi Landau
When it comes to praying for health, safety and prosperity, the Japanese do not put all their chips on one hand in terms of religious tradition. This is most evident and interesting in the week or ten day period beginning with Christmas Eve, on which many (non-Christian) Japanese attend midnight masses, or other church services, or pray for family well-being, success and spiritual growth at a family Christmas dinner.