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Ayako Kano and Linda Chance, both scholars of Japan, discuss Oosouji, the traditional New Year’s cleaning. Oosouji, the traditional New Year s cleaning, begins in mid-December in Japan. (Image: jet dela cruz on Unsplash) In Japan, many people start prepping for the New Year in mid-December. This big cleanup, called Oosouji, starts around December 13 and continues through the 29th, before cooking for the New Year begins. “The idea, very generally, is that daily life pollutes the environment and pollutes you not just physically, but also metaphysically and spiritually,” says Penn’s Ayako Kano, professor of Japanese studies. “Every once in a while, you need to clean it out and purify in order to welcome the deities of the new year.” ....