Little New Year in Japan

In Japanese culture, the new year must begin on a clean slate. Little New Year - traditionally celebrating the first full moon of the new year, on the 15th day of the first lunar month (approximately mid-February).

The main events of Koshōgatsu are rites and practices praying for a bountiful harvest; rice gruel with adzuki beans (小豆粥, azukigayu) is traditionally eaten in the morning and is involved in the rice gruel divination ceremony. Further, New Year decorations are taken down around this date, and some temples hold events, such as at Tōrin-in.