Japanese Santa Claus what is his name. Segatsu-san and Oji-san are Japanese versions of Santa Claus. Oji-San and Dan Laocheng

At the end of a series of articles about New Year's magicians, I would like to offer you a trip to Japan and introduce you to the local Santa Claus, whose name is Segatsu-san.

The name of this Santa Claus comes from the name of the first month of the year - January, which in Japanese sounds like "segatsu". It should be noted that this Christmas wizard differs significantly from its European counterparts. Let's start with the fact that Santa Claus of the Land of the Rising Sun prefers to dress mainly in a green kimono.

It should also be noted that Segatsu-san visits people's houses not for one night, but for a whole week, which the Japanese call "golden", and preparations for it begin in mid-December. But the main difference from the previous Santa Clauses I presented is that Segatsu-san does not give gifts, but simply goes from house to house and wishes everyone a Happy New Year. Gifts are given to children by their parents.

The Japanese take the New Year celebration very seriously. For the Japanese Santa Claus, small gates are built in front of the houses from bamboo sticks with pine branches. This gate is called Kadomatsu. And richer people install dwarf trees of pine, plum or peach blossom. Children dress up in new clothes to be healthy and lucky in the coming year. They play hanetsuki (Japanese version of badminton), participate in New Year's performances, build houses and figurines out of snow (weather permitting), fly kites, and put pictures of sailboats under their pillows at night to be visited by the Seven Gods of Fortune. Each of these gods symbolizes one of the good qualities: Daikoku - luck, Ebisu - sincerity, Benton - friendliness, Bishamon-ten - dignity, Jurojin - longevity, Hotei - generosity, Fukurokuju - benevolence. These deities sail to Japan on a magical ship along with Segatsu-san on the night of December 31st to January 1st. For more than a thousand years, this has been announced by 108 strokes of bells coming from Buddhist temples at midnight. According to Buddhist beliefs, a person is burdened by 108 pernicious passions, and each strike of the bell on New Year's Eve drives away one of these misfortunes.

Where does this "Mr. January" live? Many Japanese believe that he lives in the town of Shiogama on the island of Honshu.

Unfortunately, at present, Segatsu-san is oppressed in every possible way by a relatively young Santa Claus - Oji-san. He is a modified version of the American Santa Claus. Now more and more children prefer Oji-san, and this is not surprising: Oji-san, unlike his "big brother", visits Japan only one night a year, namely from December 31 to January 1, transporting gifts by sea and give them to the kids. Oji-san is wearing a traditional red sheepskin coat.

In conclusion, I would like to express the hope that Japan will not forget the faith in the old Segatsu-san, because otherwise the Japanese tradition of celebrating the New Year will undergo a radical change and lose its roots. But it is in the ancient traditions that the special magic of Japan lies.

Almost every country in the world has its own kind grandfather who brings gifts for the New Year. Let's try to get to know them better, writes 112.ua.

Santa Claus, Santa Claus, even Yolopukki and Per Noel - these names of fabulous New Year's characters are known, if not to everyone, then to very many. What about Tovlis Bobua or Oji-San?

Many of the countries of the world can boast of their "Santa Claus". They may have a different name, not wear a fur coat or beard, have a completely different biography, but one thing remains unchanged - they are the symbols of the New Year holidays and are responsible for a good mood on New Year's Eve and Christmas. Let's get acquainted with the most famous (and also the most unusual).

Father Frost

Photos from open sources

• Santa Claus is a native of the Soviet era. The creation of the canonical image of this New Year's character dates back to the late 1930s.
• Depicted as an old man in a blue, blue, red or white coat, with a long white beard and a staff in his hand, in felt boots.
• Often appears in the company of the granddaughter of the Snow Maiden.
• The influence of Santa Claus has spread to many countries of Eastern Europe. In particular, to the countries of the former socialist camp.
• In 1999, Veliky Ustyug was recognized as the official residence of Father Frost in Russia. In 2003, the residence of the Belarusian Dzedo Maroz appeared on the territory of the National Park "Belovezhskaya Pushcha" (but more about him below).
• In Ukraine, in recent years, there has been a slight drop in the popularity of Santa Claus in favor of St. Nicholas.

Santa Claus

From open sources

Western European and North American fairy tale character

• Saint Nicholas is the prototype of Santa Claus.
• Santa was “brought” to America by the Dutch settlers, who celebrate the holiday of Sinter Klaas on December 6 in their homeland (more on that later.
• Over time, the Dutch name of St. Nicholas was simplified and changed to Santa Claus, and the time of celebration merged with the Christmas holidays.
• The modern Santa was invented in 1823 by Clement Clarke Moore.
• It is believed that Santa Claus rides on a sleigh pulled by reindeer.
• Deer names: Swift, Dancer, Prancing, Grumpy, Comet, Cupid, Thunder, Lightning.
• In houses, to leave gifts for children and adults, Santa gets through the chimneys.
• By the way, in order to collect and deliver gifts in time, Santa has helpers - elves.

Yolupukki

From open sources

Finnish "Santa Claus"

• Translated from Finnish means "Christmas goat".
• Yolupukki has long hair, wears a high cone-shaped hat and red clothes.
• He is surrounded by dwarf helpers. They sit in the Echo Caverns for a year and listen to how children around the world behave, and before Christmas sort out the Christmas mail.
• Yolupukki has a wife, Muori. She represents winter.

Per Noel and Saint Schaland

From open sources

And this is the French. And yes, there are two of them.

• Per-Noel is kind and brings gifts to children. Shaland is not so kind and carries rods in a basket for naughty and lazy children.
• The forerunner of the modern Per-Noel first appeared on the modern territory of France - in the border of Lorraine, where, according to legend, he came to good obedient children and gave them gifts.
• How to visually recognize who is who? Per-Noel was depicted in several versions: with a staff, similar to a bishop's baton, and in a wide-brimmed hat. Or in a long red robe trimmed with white fur. Shaland is a bearded old man, dressed in a fur hat and a warm travel cloak.

Babbo Natale

From open sources

Next up is Italy

• Babbo Natale is practically no different from the American Santa Claus.
• This is a kind bearded grandfather in a red coat and red trousers, who rides a sleigh pulled by reindeer.
• Interestingly, there is another character. Her name is Befana.
• Befana is similar to the more famous Baba Yaga. She is wearing a long cloak and a pointed hat.
• Before her appearance, children hang stockings and shoes from the fireplace.
• According to legend, Befana arrives on a magic broom, opens the door with a golden key and puts goodies in the stockings and shoes of exemplary children, and leaves coals or ashes for pranksters.

Weinakhtsman

• It means "Christmas Man".
• Weinachtsman comes to visit on the evening before Christmas with Kristkind.
• He looks like a friendly old man with a long white beard, wearing a red fur coat with white fur.
• Christkind is dressed in a white outfit and is usually the image of a girl or a female angel.
• Gifts are received only by obedient children. Capricious and playful - remain empty-handed.

syntherklaas

From open sources

Well, here is Holland (well, Belgium, by the way)

• This is an old man with a white beard and hair, in a red robe and miter, who rides a white horse.
• Sinterklaas has a big book that describes gifts for all children, their names and addresses.
• He arrives by boat at the end of November from Spain to bring all the gifts by December 5th.
• In many cities, after his arrival, he officially and solemnly passes through the streets with his retinue and is honored with a reception from the city authorities.

Tovlis babua

From open sources

This is Georgia

• Translated as "snow grandfather"
• He looks like a gray-haired old man with a long beard, dressed in a black or white chokha with a white cloak. On the head is a traditional Svan hat.
• Tovlis babua brings gifts to children in a large bag called khurjini.

Zyuzya

• Depicted as a short grandfather, with a long gray beard. He walks barefoot, without a hat, in a white casing. In his hand is an iron mace.
• To appease Zyuzya, Belarusians on Christmas night put a part of kutya in a separate plate and leave it on a separate table for the night.

Oji-San and Dan Laocheng

From open sources

Japanese and Chinese "Santas"

• Until recently, the traditional Japanese "Santa Claus" was one - Segatsu-San. Now there are two of them - added Oji-San.
• Oji-san is a modified version of the American Santa Claus.
• He brings gifts by sea. Dressed in a traditional red sheepskin coat.
• Dan Laocheng is practically no different from Santa Claus. At least the traditions of giving gifts are the same.
• He looks like a wise old man. He wears silk clothes and travels around the country on a donkey.

More names of "colleagues"

Hawaiian Santa Claus Open source

in Bulgaria - Dyado Koleda

in Brazil - Papa Noel

in Hungary - Nikolaus or Telara

in Hawaii - Kanakaloka

in Israel - Sylvester

in Spain and Latin America - Papa Noel

in Poland - Saint Nicholas

in Portugal - Pai Natal

in Turkey - Noel Baba

in the Czech Republic and Slovakia - Ezhichek

in Estonia - Jõuluvana

In the section on the question What is the name of the Japanese Santa Claus? Only without jokes. given by the author Millet the best answer is There are two of them: Segatsu-san and Oji-san
And what is the New Year without Santa Claus? It turns out that our Santa Claus has two Japanese colleagues. Their names are Segatsu-san (Lord New Year) and Oji-san. Segatsu-san is the guardian of Japanese traditions, and Oji-san is the Japanese version of Santa Claus.
Segatsu-san goes from house to house for a whole week, which the Japanese call "golden". Dressed in a sky-blue kimono, Segatsu-san doesn't give gifts to kids, their parents do it for him. For the Japanese Santa Claus, small gates are built in front of the houses from bamboo sticks with pine branches. And richer people install dwarf trees of pine, plum or peach blossom. Children dress up in new clothes to be healthy and lucky in the coming year. They play hanetsuki, participate in New Year's performances, build houses and figurines out of snow (weather permitting), fly kites, and put pictures of sailboats under their pillows at night to be visited by the Seven Gods of Fortune.

Oji-san appeared in the Land of the Rising Sun relatively recently. He is very similar to the American Santa Claus. But more and more children are choosing Oji-san, mainly because of the traditional red sheepskin coat and the famous reindeer team.

The beginning of the new year is celebrated by all the peoples of the world. Not all nationalities and nationalities have the same countdown dates, but despite this, we all equally rejoice at this holiday every time. What are the traditions of celebrating the New Year in Japan and is there a Japanese Santa Claus?

East is a delicate matter

Never try to tell a Japanese about the chimes on New Year's Eve. The thing is that in the Land of the Rising Sun, the onset of the New Year is marked by 108 strokes of the bell. However, there is something in common between our cultures - the holiday is celebrated on the night of December 31 to January 1. It is believed that human existence is complicated by 108 pernicious passions, and the New Year's bell drives away one of these vices with each stroke, foreshadowing a good year.

Preparation for the holiday in Japan necessarily includes the installation of Kadomatsu - a special gate made of bamboo and pine branches in front of the house. It is believed that it is through them that the Japanese Santa Claus passes. Wealthy families also plant peach blossom, plum or pine trees in front of their houses.

Segatsu-san - "Mr. January"

There is also a special New Year's magician in Japan. Japanese Santa Claus Segatsu-san is fundamentally different from his counterpart from Russia. Literally, the name of this elder can be translated into Russian as "Mr. January." Residents of the Land of the Rising Sun have been waiting for a whole week for Segatsu-san to come to their house and congratulate them on the holiday. Interestingly, the New Year's wizard does not give gifts to either children or adults. Representatives of the younger generation know from infancy that they can only count on presents from their parents. The time when "Mr. January" congratulates the Japanese on holidays is called the "golden week".

The Japanese Santa Claus costume is also quite original and atypical for a New Year's wizard. The elder is dressed in a green festive kimono and a traditional headdress. But a thick white beard with a mustache, descending almost to the floor, gives Segatsu-san a significant resemblance to his Russian brother.

Two Santa Clauses of one country?

At a time when Japanese fashion, technology and art are conquering the world, the inhabitants of the Land of the Rising Sun are interested in European and American traditions that are unusual for them. Not so long ago, a second New Year's magician appeared in Japan. His name is Oji-san. And if Segatsu-san is the Japanese Santa Claus, then the newcomer, rather, is the eastern analogue of Santa Claus. Why did the inhabitants of the Land of the Rising Sun need a second Santa Claus? It's simple: Oji-san, like many other New Year's magicians, brings gifts to children who have behaved well during the year. It is not surprising that many kids are looking forward to it for their holiday. It is worth noting that the new Japanese Santa Claus is even visually very similar to Santa Claus.

The main New Year's character, of course, is Santa Claus. A tall old man with a long white beard, in a red coat, with a staff and a bag of gifts. But in every country works your Santa Claus...

• Russia - Santa Claus. As mentioned above - This is a tall old man with a long white beard, in a red coat, with a staff and a bag of gifts. But earlier, the ancient Slavs represented him as a short, round-shouldered old man with a long gray beard. He walks through forests and fields, thumps with his staff and freezes ponds with ice. He does not like those who complain about the fierce winter, and those who rejoice, on the contrary, give vigor and a healthy hot blush. Image our Santa Claus, which has survived to this day, was created by Soviet filmmakers in the mid-30s of the XX century.


• Germany - Santa Nikolaus and Weinachtsman. Santa Nikolaus does not come around Christmas, but on December 6, on the day of St. Nicholas, and together with his servant Ruprecht gives gifts to good children, and to those who are guilty - rods. But on Christmas, Weinakhtsman comes to the children, very similar to our Santa Claus. Before going to bed, the children leave a plate for gifts, and put hay in their shoes for his donkey. Most often it is customary to celebrate this holiday in the family circle.


• - Shan Dan Laozhen, Dong Che Lao Ren or Sho Hin. On New Year's Eve, it is customary to decorate "Trees of Light". They are decorated with flowers, lanterns and garlands. Little Chinese hang stockings on the wall, where Dong Che Lao Ren (Grandfather Christmas) puts Christmas presents.


• Segatsu-san (Japanese Santa Claus)


• Japan - Oji-san, Segatsu-san or Hoteisho.Hoteysho is God with eyes on the back of his head, who sees everything. The main symbol of the New Year. All people worship him and ask for happiness and good luck in the New Year. But recently, two more characters Oji-san and Segatsu-san began to fight for the symbol of the New Year and Christmas.Segatsu-san wears a blue kimono. He goes around all the houses before Christmas and congratulates on the New Year holidays, but does not give gifts.Oji-san looks like Santa Claus and unlike Segatsu-san gives gifts to kids, probably because of this he became more loved.


• The name of this Santa Claus comes from the name of the first month of the year - January, which in Japanese sounds like "segatsu". It should be noted that this Christmas wizard differs significantly from its European counterparts. Let's start with the fact that Santa Claus of the Land of the Rising Sun prefers to dress mainly in a green kimono.It should also be noted that Segatsu-san visits people's houses not for one night, but for a whole week, which the Japanese call "golden", and preparations for it begin in mid-December. But the main difference from previous Santa Clauses is that Segatsu-san does not give gifts, but simply goes from house to house and wishes everyone a Happy New Year.The Japanese take the New Year celebration very seriously. For the Japanese Santa Claus, small gates are built in front of the houses from bamboo sticks with pine branches. This gate is called Kadomatsu. And richer people install dwarf trees of pine, plum or peach blossom. Children dress up in new clothes to be healthy and lucky in the coming year. They play hanetsuki (Japanese version of badminton), participate in New Year's performances, build houses and figurines out of snow (weather permitting), fly kites, and put pictures of sailboats under their pillows at night to be visited by the "Seven Gods of Fortune" ". Each of these gods symbolizes one of the good qualities: Daikoku - luck, Ebisu - sincerity, Benton - friendliness, Bishamon-ten - dignity, Jurojin - longevity, Hotei - generosity, Fukurokuju - benevolence. These deities sail to Japan on a magical ship along with Segatsu-san on the night of December 31st to January 1st. This is announced by 108 strikes of bells coming from Buddhist temples at midnight. According to Buddhist beliefs, a person is burdened by 108 pernicious passions, and each strike of the bell on New Year's Eve drives away one of these misfortunes.Where does this "Mr. January" live? Many Japanese believe that he lives in the town of Shiogama on the island of Honshu.




Currently, Segatsu-san is oppressed in every possible way by a relatively young Santa Claus - Oji-san. He is a modified version of the American Santa Claus. Now more and more children prefer Oji-san, and this is not surprising: Oji-san, unlike his "big brother", visits Japan only one night a year, namely from December 31 to January 1, transporting gifts by sea and give them to the kids. Oji-san is wearing a traditional red sheepskin coat.



• France - Pere Noel. Literally, Per Noel is translated as the father of Christmas. He comes along with old grandfather Shaland. Per Noel gives gifts to good children, and Schaland uses rods for naughty children. To appease Shaland, the children must sing a song in honor of his arrival. In France, Christmas is not a very family holiday, and most people celebrate it with friends in clubs, restaurants, loud music, champagne, etc.