Japanese festivals
considered a good sign), and first dream (hatsuyume). Since the traditional New Year was
later in the year than the current date, many of these mention the beginning of spring.
Along with the New Year's Day postcard, haiku might mention "first letter" (hatsudayori--
meaning the first exchange of letters), "first calligraphy" (kakizome), and "first brush" (fude
hajime).
Games
It was also customary to play many New Year's games. These include hanetsuki, takoage (kite
flying), koma (top), sugoroku, fukuwarai (whereby a blindfolded person places paper parts of
a face, such as eyes, eyebrows, a nose and a mouth, on a paper face), and karuta.
Entertainment
There are many shows created as the end-of-year, and beginning-of-year entertainment, and
some being a special edition of the regular shows. For many decades, it has been customary to
watch the TV show Khaku Uta Gassen aired on NHK on New Year's Eve. The show features
annaabi.ee 
