Akemashite omedeto

LE ROUGE ET LE BLANC: "Arrows in red and white, celebratory colours of vitality, to ward off evil spirits throughout the coming year." Photo: http://www.greenshinto.com/wp/page/2/

"The way Shinto and Buddhism complement each other is never more clearly seen than on the night of Dec. 31. Buddhism is other-worldly, concerned with individual salvation. Shinto is this-worldly, concerned with rites of passage and social well-being. At New Year the two religions come together like yin and yang, either side of midnight. Buddhism sees out the death of the old; Shinto celebrates the birth of the new. " (...)

‘Akemashite omedeto’ (Congratulations on the New Year) is heard on every side, as people toss coins into offertory boxes over the heads of those in front. Hot saké is served spiced with ginger, while young women in kimono stand huddled over their fortune slips. With the blessing of the kami, the Year of the Rooster will surely be a good one. (...)

Source: Green Shinto http://www.greenshinto.com/wp/page/2/