New Year in Japan begins with the word ‘akemashite omedetou’, which means “Happy New Year”. In the midst of white snow, people go to see the sun or the new year to visit the temple to ask on health this year.
Hawanya very cold, but when the sun penetrate into the cold air on a sunny morning, it seems there is no beauty in this world.

At home, people pass the time while eating with exhilarated osechi, which is specific to the cuisine

New Year cakes or rice or mochi.

Is also a fun New Year Card.
In Japan, people send each other postcards that among friends or acquaintances. 12 shio animal images on the card is envisaged that the new year.

Shio whether animals this year? Monkey? Chicken? Or Dogs?

The first story is the story of the origin of the animals shio 12.

ASAL first 12 shio ANIMALS

ALKISAH, in the era of yore, in Hiduplah god of the mountain which is located in the middle
mountains. Today is December 30, one day before the new year. The Dewa write a letter to the animals throughout the country. Deity who has finished writing letters that meniupnya ago from a window.
Letters diterbangkan by the wind, to mountains, rivers, valleys, and forests, to all directions.
The next day, 31 am, the animals receiving the letter. Its like this:
“On the morning of New Year, I will choose the fastest animal came here, from number one to number twelve. And every year I will take a one-at
as based on a general order. Tertanda, gods. “
The animals to be flushed.
“Wow, if so, I must be a general!”
However, there is an animal that does not read this letter, that is a cat who like relaxing. Cats hear about the letter of the god of this mouse.
Mice that pawky said that they must come together to place on 2 Dewa morning, the date should be 1 am.

“Oh Tikus, thanks for your good heart.”
All animals offs while thinking about victory.
“Good, tomorrow in the morning ya. I will sleep quickly tonight. “
All animals sleep quickly. However, only cows that thinking, “Jalanku slow, so I
will be leaving tonight. “So Go cow before sunset. Mouse
view the jump directly into the back cow.
“How exciting!”
Cattle are not running with the slow.
“I may be number one. Moooo! “

The next day, leaving the animals at a time when the days are still dark.
Dog, monkey, tiger, snakes, rabbits, chickens, sheep, and horses, they all ran to the place of the gods.
Finally the sun began to rise the new year. The distance the sun appeared, the first is … cow. Oh,
neither! That was a rat!
Mouse jumps down the back of cows, then jump to the front of the gods quickly.
“God, Happy New Year!”
“Oh, congratulations! Congratulations! “
Cattle are very disappointed.
“Why? Moooo! “
Cattle crying.

Then came a succession tiger, rabbit and dragon. Other animals arrived susul-follow. Finally, the announcement tibalah time winner of the order by the gods.
“The brothers all, welcome. Now I will announce the results. The first mouse. Proceed with the cow, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey,
chickens, dogs, and wild pigs. Thus, the winner has been set up to number one the number twelve? “
12 head of animals are selected is called shio 12 animals.
Twelfth shio animals that start with wassail drink while beset the gods.
“Let’s drink!”
Dragon and tiger also reveler. Rabbit and mouse also said, “Let’s drink!”
When the cat came running run-face with the angry and frightening.
“Tikus! Why do you menipuku! Mew! I will capture and memakanmu. Here! “
Mice ran terbirit-butt. Cats spin mengejarnya.
The party is very busy.
Since then, the era began 12 shio animals. Start from mouse, and cow, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, chicken, dog, and wild pigs.
Cats that are not included in the 12 animals shio rat tricked because, until now still spin chase mice. He will still angry spoofery mice.