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Answer the questions about Japanese culture as best as you can. You may want to read the Culture Note about New Year's (Genki I: p.264) if you haven't yet.
お正月 is the _____ homecoming holiday in Japan.
smallest
biggest
best
The Japanese celebrate New Year's day on _____, unlike most other Asians, who go by the lunar calendar.
December 31
February 5
January 1
Most businesses _____ on and around New Year's day.
are closed
are open
close early
What is New Year's Eve called in Japan?
元日（がんじつ）
お正月（おしょうがつ）
大晦日（おおみそか）
People try to do what by New Year's Eve?
buy food, beer, fireworks, etc..
finish seasonal chores, clean the house, write greeting cards, etc..
finish homework, call friends and family, buy presents, etc..
What do people call New Year's greeting cards in Japan?
年賀状（ねんがじょう）
お正月（おしょうがつ）
大晦日（おおみそうか）
Dinner for New Year's often includes _____.
焼き魚（やきさかな）
年越しそば（としこしそば）
アイスクリーム
Why is 年越しそば often consumed?
the long noodles symbolize the end of a long year
the long noodles symbolize the desire for longevity
because it's down right delicious
When saying goodbye to someone whom you do not expect to see again until the new year, the traditional parting phrase is _____.
左様なら（さようなら）
あけましておめでとうございます
よいお年を（よいおとしを）
When you meet somebody for the first time in the new year, you say _____.
よいお年を（よいおとしを）
あけましておめでとうございます
こんにちは
Many people go to shrines and temples for _____.
年越しそば（としこしそば）
お正月（おしょうがつ）
初詣（はつもうで）
初詣 or "the first worship of the year" is likely to be a person's only visit to shrines and temples for the year.
true
false
Special dishes called _____ are eaten for New Year's. Each dish is said to signify a particular wish.
年越しそば（としこしそば）
お弁当（おべんとう）
お節料理（おせちりょうり）
What do black beans (黒豆；くろまめ) signify?
diligence and health
suffering and death
strength to break through the darkness
What does herring roe (数の子；かずのこ) signify?
having many offspring
having no children
enormous debt
The staple food for New Year's is _____.
年越しそば（としこしそば）
黒豆（くろまめ）
おもち
おもち is typically served toasted or in 雑煮（ぞうに）.
true
false
Children expect to receive お年玉（おとしだま）, which are _____.