Discover the unique year-end cleaning tradition of the Japanese.

The final weeks of the year are always a mix of busyness and ritual: parties, travel, Christmas shopping, tackling a host of unfinished tasks, and preparing for the New Year.

For those who want to enter January with a "blank slate" mindset, organizing, cleaning, or refreshing their living space becomes a clear necessity. In Japan, there is a long-standing tradition dedicated to this: ōsōji.

Below, experts explain the meaning, history, and importance of this year-end cleaning ritual, combining practicality and contemplation.

What is Ōsōji?

“Ōsōji (大掃除) means ‘Great Sweeping’ – a major general cleaning,” said Yumi Nagasawa, director of education and family programs at the Japan Society. “It’s an important event that takes place at the end of the year before the New Year.”

This could be seen as Japan's version of "spring cleaning," but it takes place in December, right before the New Year.

“For many, ōsōji is simply a tradition of cleaning and preparing the house for the holidays and family gatherings,” says Kaitlyn Ugoretz, lecturer and editor at the Nanzan Institute for Religion & Culture. “But for others, it’s an annual ritual with spiritual significance.”

Cleaning expert Marie Kondo dedicates an entire chapter in her new book , "Letter From Japan," to ōsōji, discussing the cultural and spiritual significance of many Japanese rituals.

“Ōsōji is similar to the Spring Cleaning in its spirit of removing the dirt and negative thoughts that have accumulated throughout the year,” Kondo shared. “But the difference lies in the timing and meaning. Because it takes place at the end of the year, it’s not only a time to reflect on the past 12 months but also to prepare to welcome Toshigami-sama – the New Year god who brings good fortune for the coming year.”

According to Kondo, ōsōji is a way to welcome good fortune into the home.

The origins of this tradition

The origins of ōsōji date back more than a millennium. “Originally, it was a purification ritual at the Imperial Palace to ward off evil spirits and pray for good fortune,” says Miyuki Seguchi, a Japanese travel expert and author of the podcast “Japan Experts.”

Most scholars believe that ōsōji originated during the Heian period (794-1185), although some evidence suggests they may have appeared during the Asuka period (592-710).

Lecturer Ugoretz explained that this tradition originated from the susuharai ritual – meaning "sweeping away coal dust" – in the Middle Ages. At that time, houses used oil lamps and stoves, causing coal dust to accumulate on walls, ceilings, and floors throughout the year.

The Emperor, as the political and spiritual center of the nation, performed a ritual cleansing of the palace to protect all of Japan. Servants used bamboo brooms and cloths to thoroughly clean the palace for weeks before the new year. Afterwards, they celebrated with mochi and sake.

Over time, the nobility, generals, temples, and Shinto shrines also adopted this ritual as a way to "sweep away bad luck" and prepare for the New Year.

During the Edo period (1603-1868), ōsōji (traditional Japanese cleaning tools) spread to ordinary households. The government at the time designated the 13th day of the 12th lunar month as the official general cleaning day of Edo – a day considered auspicious for all matters except weddings.

The significance of ōsōji in modern times

Today, this remains an important activity in the year-end preparations in Japan. Temples and shrines usually begin their general cleaning around December 13th, while families clean their entire homes before the New Year holiday – Oshōgatsu, the most important festival for the Japanese.

This practice also takes place in schools. Students spend time each day cleaning their classrooms, contributing to building a sense of responsibility and community.

However, the level of ōsōji practice is changing. Many people today no longer fully understand its origins and symbolic meaning.

According to a survey by cleaning company Duskin, only 51.1% of households performed ōsōji (house cleaning) by the end of 2024 – a sharp decrease from 71.7% in 2008. Families with young children performed it most frequently (59.9%), followed by households with two working adults (58.1%) and elderly people (43.2%). Common reasons for skipping ōsōji included lack of time or the belief that "the house is always clean."

This tradition is also being modernized. More and more families are hiring professional services to perform ōsōji (ritual cleaning). An interesting example is in 2023, when Kanda Shrine in Tokyo "blessed" 11 Roomba robots, fitted them with safety charms, and had them join volunteers in cleaning the shrine.

From a personal perspective, this ritual still holds profound meaning. Instructor Ugoretz suggests that ōsōji creates a moment of quiet reflection to look back on the year, appreciate what is familiar, and prepare the mind, spirit, and body for better things. Expert Seguchi shares that after ōsōji, the space becomes lighter, both emotionally and mentally.

Lecturer Ugoretz also noted that ōsōji (cleanliness) should not be viewed as a "unique characteristic" or "inherent cleanliness" of the Japanese people. In reality, the Japanese are as diverse as any other nation: some are tidy, others are messy.

The desire to refresh oneself and one's living space before the New Year is something shared by many cultures.

If the ōsōji tradition inspires you, cleaning expert Marie Kondo encourages you to try applying it in the way that suits you best: cleaning a small corner of your home with gratitude for the past year. This small act can become an opportunity for quiet reflection and self-reflection, welcoming the New Year with a fresh perspective.

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/kham-pha-truyen-thong-don-dep-cuoi-nam-rat-doc-dao-cua-nguoi-nhat-post1080607.vnp