Otoshidama
-"New Years Money"-

"Otoshidama"
Tabo : Yay! Thank you!
Tabo : I'll just put it in my sleeve for safekeeping...
Tabo : Wha-? It's gone!
Tabo : It really was an "otoshi-dama"...

The word "Otoshi" by itself also means "dropped" or "lost". Tabo dropped his present, so he used a pun to describe his folly.

Otoshidama is a Japanese traditional custom. Originating from a shrine ritual in which kagami mochi (round rice cakes) are offered to the god of the year (toshi kamisama). After the ritual was over the cakes were given to the people worshipping at the shrine. Over the centuries otoshidama became the name for gifts offered during the New Year period, though they were originally called onenshi or onenga (New Year's Greeting).

Today, otoshidama means something else. Traditionally children are given small envelopes at the start of the New Year from parents, grandparents, and relatives. The money is usually given in little decorative envelopes. On average, children receives around 40,000 yen each year which is about $372 US dollars. Most save the money, others spend it on computer games, clothes, and CDs.

Any questions?