Holiday Storytellers Around the World Japan

O-Shogatsu, which lasts January 1st through 3rd, is the traditional Japanese New Year. It is a time for reflection, family, friends, delicious foods and of course, fun!

An important New Year symbol and good luck charm for the Japanese is the Drauma doll, which has no pupils in its eyes. Tradition is to make a wish and paint the pupil of the left eye. If your wish comes true before the end of the year, you paint the right pupil.

The Daruma, which looks like a child's punching doll, reinforces the concepts of patience and persistence.