This week, millions of Japanese will be marking “Toji” – the Winter Solstice. (As always with our articles and blogs, you can click on any of the images to take a closer look at the featured item.)
Falling either on 21st or the 22nd December each year, Toji marks the astronomical arrival of Winter and the moment when the days gradually begin to grow longer again.
Although not an officially celebrated holiday, Toji is an important festival in Japan and is rooted in the themes of reflection and health with the firm believe that caring for the physical body will help to bring brighter days ahead.
The word Toji literally translates as “The arrival of Winter” and although it falls at a time when Winter feels at its harshest, Toji is a symbol of rebirth and renewal and serves as a reminder that warmth and light are on their way.
One of the most popular customs around Toji is to soak in a “Yuzu” bath known as a Yuzuzu. Yuzu is a fragrant Japanese citrus fruit, similar to a lemon but more aromatic. The practice of taking a Yuzu bath dates back to the Edo period (1603 – 1868) and it was said that the bath would not only prevent colds, (being naturally rich in Vitami C) but also ward off evil spirits. The word “Yuzu” sounds like the word for flexibility in Japanese so it also serves as a metaphor for a smooth year ahead.
During Toji, the most popular dish is Kabocha – a Japanese Winter squash. Kabocha is associated with strength and longevity and its naturally sweet flavour makes it a favourite for winter cooking. It is traditionally simmered in Soy sauce, mirin and sugar.
The colour of the fruit is thought to resemble the Sun, a welcome reminder of better times ahead. Although not directly connected to the Shinto belief system, there are some interesting parallels with the natural cycles of the year and the Sun Goddess, Amaterasu.
Amaterasu is onie of the central Gods in Japanese folklore and is believed to have been the mother of the first Emperor. In one tale, Amaterasu withdrew into a cave and plunged the whole world into darkness. Her eventual return restored light, order and life to Japan. This is an interestingly mirrors what happens at Winter equinox.
Animals are often depicted in art, poetry and literature around wintertime in Japan and the Crane and the Tortoise are both popular as representations of cosmic stability, longevity and most importantly, cyclical return.
You can read our telling of The Crane and the Tortoise by Clicking Here.
One of the most iconic global symbols, Yin-Yang is particularly pertinent during Toji.
The darkness and cold of Winter is the Yin and the Yang represents light and warmth is this begins to emerge with the passing of the Winter Solstice.
In China, the Winter solstice of Dongzhi is one of the most important seasonal points. Long before it became the folk festival that it is now, Dongzhi was understood as a cosmic turning point when the forces of the Universe were re-set and the energy of life would begin again.
The Dragon is an important symbol of the Winter solstice as it was believed that the Dragon would be resting underground during the cold months but would begin to stir at this time. It was an auspicious but not ominous event.
In contrast, the Tiger was believed to represent Yin energy and was often depicted yielding to the Dragon after the equinox.
Historically Dongshi was treated as the true new beginning of the new year and before the Lunar New Year became dominant, it was celebrated as the New Year is now.
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