Koshogatsu 小正月

On January 15, Japanese people celebrate “Koshogatsu” (small new year). On this day, “Dondo Yaki”, a fire festival is held in many places in Japan. In the Uonuma region of Niigata, “Dondo Yaki” is held in each community.

Local people make kind of campfire called “Sai no kami”, (the name of a god and an also another name for “Dondo Yaki”). They burn their new year’s decorations or old good-luck charm and pray for good health and a good harvest for the year. It is believed that you won’t get sick for the whole year if you eat something roasted over the Dondo Yaki fire. “Surume”, or dried squid, is commonly toasted over Sai no kami fires in Niigata.

Traditional customs are surely alive and active in this region among community people.

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