the form of a Buddhist priest; priestly attire
pensive (or worried) look on one's face
Kōhaku Uta Gassen; annual singing contest between famous male and female singers on New Year's Eve; sponsored and broadcast by NHK
(opening) with a clatter; loudly; flinging (open); (changing) completely; dramatically; suddenly
(one's) Sunday best; (one's) best clothes; glad rags
to dress oneself up; to deck oneself out
thanks for taking care of me; thanks for taking care of my loved one
sunset; sundown; end; close; year-end; end of the year
visiting a shrine on New Year's Eve and staying there until (or returning on) New Year's Day
kotatsu; table over an electric heater, with a hanging quilt to retain heat (orig. over a charcoal brazier in a floor well)
like a part of the family
visit to a hospital, temple, school, etc.
hot; warm; passionate; impassioned; on everybody's mind; on the radar
to be unable to endure; to be unable to stand (something); to lose patience
north wind; northerly wind
late at night; at a late hour
kami celebrated at the beginning of New Year (usu. to pray for a good harvest); goddess of (lucky) directions
first shrine visit of the New Year
present (e.g. government, administration); current; existing
single; simple; singles (tennis, badminton, etc.); win bet (bet which predicts the winner of a race)
temple bell rung 108 times on New Year's Eve
beginning of the year; early in the New Year
to mount (a horse, bicycle, etc.); to straddle; to sit astride; to span (an area, time, etc.); to extend over; to spread over
mochi; small rice cake made from glutinous rice
celebratory drink; celebratory spirits; holiday cheer