Ōsōji

Japanese culture is one of those that most honors and actively practices the heritage of its ancestors. And I’m a huge fan of one of them. 

Ōsōji is a major cleaning that takes place before the year finishes.

This major cleaning, besides hygienic, is also symbolic. It may seem somewhat woo-woo at first, but it’s actually a very practical custom, since the goal is to reflect on every aspect that has happened throughout the year so as not to carry that into the following year: situations, objects we welcome into our homes, which corners have been neglected, what has been broken, and so on. It's essentially a personal audit.

This meditative exercise goes from homes to schools, businesses, and temples. Before gathering to celebrate the end of a cycle, everyone—young and old—would organize to dust and restore every single place. In this way, they would start the coming year purified and renewed

Last December 2025, I researched and carried out a modern equivalent of what this practice would look like nowadays (here my personal chart). And I have the feeling this won’t be the last time.

I’ll also drop a link to the channel of a wonderful guy who showcases many Japanese customs —including this one, of course.

​ ​ ​ ​ ​Samurai Matcha