1.
New Year's Eve bell; bell rung 108 times on New Year's Eve
The Buddhist temple bell rung 108 times at midnight on New Year's Eve. The 108 rings represent the 108 earthly desires (bonnō) in Buddhist teaching, and the ringing is believed to purify the listener of these desires for the new year.
除夜の鐘を聞いた。
I heard the New Year's Eve bell.
除夜の鐘は百八回撞かれる。
The New Year's Eve bell is struck 108 times.
大晦日の夜、近所の寺で除夜の鐘を撞かせてもらった。
On New Year's Eve, I was allowed to ring the bell at the nearby temple.
USAGE:
A central tradition of Japanese New Year. The bell is rung at Buddhist temples (寺) across Japan, with the ringing beginning before midnight and ending just after. The 108 rings correspond to the 百八つの煩悩 (108 earthly desires) in Buddhism. Many temples allow visitors to ring the bell themselves, which is a popular activity.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 除夜の鐘を撞く (to ring the New Year's Eve bell)
- 除夜の鐘を聞く (to listen to the New Year's Eve bell)
- 除夜の鐘が鳴る (the New Year's Eve bell tolls)
CULTURAL NOTE:
The tradition is broadcast live on NHK's 紅白歌合戦 (Red and White Song Contest) every year, making it one of the most recognized sounds of Japanese New Year.