19th C. Japanese New Year Customs

Japanese designs were popular in American decor and women’s publications of the 1880’s — In Japan, the Emperor receives in his palace, and all the high officers of the government are expected to call and pay their respects, wearing their diplomatic dress and all their decorations. They advance to the end of a long, richly-furnished room, where sits the Emperor and the Empress, and bow low and say; “Ake Mashite Omedeto,” or “Happy New Year,” and retire backward until they reach the exit. It is not etiquette for the Emperor to respond. — 1884

“Ake Mashite Omedeto”

Which is Japanese for “Happy New Year”

The Japanese celebrate the incoming of the New Year by four days of visiting and jollification, and have a grand final celebration on the fifth day, by the way of a wind-up before they settle down to fan-decorating and the other occupations carried on by them. It is not without an effort, however, that the celebration is stopped on the fifth day, and there are many who continue their visits until the end of the month, so large is their circle of acquaintances. In this country there are scarcely enough Japanese to enable this custom to be religiously observed, but the few make an effort to emulate the customs nstilled in them by early practice. 

In Japan, the Emperor receives in his palace, and all the high officers of the government are expected to call and pay their respects, wearing their diplomatic dress and all their decorations. They advance to the end of a long, richly-furnished room, where sits the Emperor and the Empress, and bow low and say; “Ake Mashite Omedeto,” or “Happy New Year,” and retire backward until they reach the exit. It is not etiquette for the Emperor to respond. 

Sixteen years ago, before the people rebelled against Tokugawa Yoshihisa and abolished the feudal system, the Emperor sat upon a platform, behind a curtain, which was rolled up when he was ready to receive callers. Now that there is no curtain, he is upon a level with those who call. Among the people, the time is one of great festivity. Everybody calls, and nearly everybody drinks sake, a liquor distilled from rice. When an intimate friend calls upon a person, he is received with great cordiality. When he enters the reception room he drops upon his knees and then sits upon his haunches. A little table is placed before him, and he is served with wine, fruit and ten different kinds of food.

Those not well acquainted, simply hand in their cards. On the first day there is a military review and fireworks in the evening The second day is much like the first. On the third day there is a procession of the volunteer and paid fire companies, which arouses great enthusiasm among the people. On the fourth day there is a slight cessation in festivities, which are renewed and reach their height the following day, when the Emperor gives a reception to the nobles and high government officers, and the people regale each other at restaurants.— Placer Herald, 1884

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