The sun goes down early this time of year. In New York, sunset is currently at 4:32 PM, and sunrise doesn’t arrive until 7:17 AM. This is because on December 21st, the winter solstice — the shortest day and the longest night of the year. From then on, the days gradually grow longer, even if the coldness is becoming severe.
A cherished Japanese custom on the winter solstice is the yuzu bath (柚子湯). Yuzu is a fragrant yellow citrus fruit that is believed to purify the body, ward off evil spirits, and bring good fortune in the year ahead. This tradition is special to me.
In addition, as a child, my mother would serve us yuzu slices sprinkled with sugar, believing that the vitamin C in yuzu would protect us from winter illnesses. Yuzu is often used as a garnish for its aroma, but this day was also a reminder that yuzu is delicious. This family custom warms my memory every year.
While the winter solstice is recognized as a traditional seasonal custom in Japan, it is a universal astronomical phenomenon that affects the entire Northern Hemisphere, and there are ancient temples around the world that were designed to align with the position of the sun on this day.
One famous example is the Karnak Temple in Egypt, built over 4,000 years ago, which was designed to focus light on the temple dedicated to the sun god on the winter solstice.
In Japan, at the Naiku (Inner Shrine)of Ise Jingu, the torii gate of the Ujibashi Bridge (宇治橋)was designed to be aligned with the sun, around 7:30 a.m. for a month before and after the winter solstice, you can see a divine scene of the morning sun shining through the torii gate. When you think about it that way, it's not just the longest night; it also feels like we're receiving energy from the universe.
In Japan, the winter solstice is called "Ichiyou Raifu (一陽来復)," and is said to be the day when "yin reaches its peak and returns to yang." It is believed that luck will improve from this day.
Recently, I was thinking about how these rituals help me align my energy with the rhythm of the earth. We are part of nature, and connecting with its cycles brings deep peace and balance to our hearts. The winter solstice invites us to embrace the long nights. It is a time to stop, reflect, and find beauty in silence. It is a time to rest, rejuvenate, and cultivate our intuition.
On this day, I would like to express my gratitude for your support this year. While sharing the stories of Japanese tradition, I always feel that the world is one after all. As the days get longer from tomorrow and we move towards spring, I look forward to sharing new projects with you next year.
Have a wonderful night. And I wish you all a wonderful year in 2025.