Osoji
Japanese Name:
大掃除
Romaji Name:
oosouji
Description
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Ōsōji means "big cleaning" in Japanese. It is a traditional deep-cleaning done at the end of the year, usually in December, to prepare for the New Year.
History
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The English name for "大掃除" is "major cleaning" or more commonly "year-end cleaning" or "big cleanup." It refers to a deep, thorough cleaning of the home or workplace, usually done at the end of the year to welcome the New Year with a fresh start.
In Japan, Ōsōji has a long history and is traditionally done in late December. The custom comes from Shinto beliefs, where cleanliness is considered important to purify the space and invite the Toshigami (New Year deity). People clean every corner of their homes, including places they don’t normally clean regularly.
The tradition can be traced back to the Heian period (794–1185), when court nobles performed a ritual called "susuharai" (煤払い), meaning "soot sweeping," to clean palaces and shrines. This evolved over time into the modern practice of Ōsōji.