January (Ichigatsu) is the month that the new year starts in the solar or Gregorian calendar, although technically it is still winter. In fact, Daikan, the coldest part of the year, sets in this month, and the scenery presents a bleak and wintry image. People prefer to stay in their warm homes.

January is traditionally called Mutsuki, the month in which acquaintances come and go and spend a happy time together (referring to the traditional New Year visits). Another name is Taro-zuki as Taro was the name for the eldest son, or simply Hatsu-zuki, first month.

New Year (Oshogatsu) is the major annual festival in Japan, in importance comparable to Christmas in Christian countries. Originally, Shogatsu was a religious ritual in which the auspicious New Year's deity (Shogatsu-sama or Toshigami-sama) who was also the God of Grain was welcomed to the people's homes. Of course, today it is in the first place a vacation period, but there is still a religious element in the form of Hatsumode, the first shrine visit of the year. Note that, as Japan used to have a lunar calendar in the past, New Year came later in the seasonal cycle (like Chinese New Year), at a time which was still cold, but could also be considered as the first day of spring. That is why traditionally expressions as "Shinshun" ("New Spring") or "Geishun" ("Welcoming Spring") are used on New Year cards. In the Gregorian calendar, however, New Year comes near the winter sol...