Cultural Tips - Year-end Cleaning

In Japan, there is a long-standing tradition of doing a thorough cleaning at the end of the year, which dates back to the Heian period (794–1185). This custom is observed not only in households but also in schools, workplaces, and shrines and temples. The cleaning includes areas that are usually difficult to reach, such as kitchen ventilation fans, gas stoves, windows, kamidana (household shrines), and transoms.

The purpose of this "year-end cleaning" is to remove the dirt and misfortune accumulated over the past year, creating a clean and pleasant environment for the new year. It is not merely a cleaning task, but also a sacred purification ritual to welcome the Toshigami-sama, the deity who governs the new year. Toshigami-sama is often considered a spirit of ancestors who is believed to visit homes during the New Year and grant vitality and good fortune for the coming year.

We also clean thoroughly before welcoming important guests, right? Thinking of it in this way might make the concept easier to understand.

Although the end of the year can be quite busy, the tradition of year-end cleaning continues because it is considered important to purify both the home and the mind.