Hate no Hatsuka -- the Last Twentieth
Seasonal EventsWhat Is Hate no Hatsuka?
December 20 is "Hate no Hatsuka," literally "the twentieth at the end." It has long been treated in Japan as an imibi, a day of ill omen on which people should hold back and avoid misfortune. The custom of spending it quietly, without travel or new undertakings, survives in various regions.
Several Explanations, No Single Answer
Why the date became an imibi is not settled; the stories differ from place to place.
- A Kinki region account: executions of criminals were said to be carried out on this day
- A mountain account: the day is tied to the mountain deity, and entering the mountains is avoided
- The word "hate": it means the end -- the twentieth that marks the close of the year
- How it is kept: as a day to be restrained and to steer clear of trouble
December Holds Both "Begin" Days and "Hold Back" Days
The twelfth month includes days for starting New Year preparations, such as December 13, the traditional start of the New Year cleaning. Alongside them sits a day like this one for doing less. It is striking that the busiest month of the year has a pause built into it.
Tips for Marking This Day
- Keep the schedule light and let the day be a quiet one
- Look into whether your own region has a similar imibi tradition
- Sort through what is left of the year's work and rebuild a realistic plan
- Consider postponing trips into the mountains or other risky outings
One Unhurried Day at the Close of the Year
Hate no Hatsuka gives permission, in the busiest stretch of the calendar, to take it easy for a day -- a small piece of inherited wisdom about stopping.