140 years ago, until the calendar was renewed in Meiji 5, our ancestors had been used the lunar calendar based on the monthly cycles of the Moon's phases.
We call the beginning of the months "Tsuitachi",which comes from "Tsuki-tachi." "Tsuki"means moon and "tachi"means standing up or rising. It refers to the new moon, the initial state to the full moon.
Since ancient times, life that lives in nature as well as humans has been affected by the moon. The phases of the moon are a cycle of death and life regeneration, and the moon's gravity causes the birth of life on Earth. "Tsuitachi"of the severe winter was set as the beginning of the year for the victory declaration of war against despair and death.
The long and dark winter is coming to the end! Spring comes in bloom on barren land! The decayed large tree becomes the cradle that nurtures new life, and a lot of lives are born on the spring tide night.
"Tatakizome" is the lunar new year festival, where you can listen to the powerful sounds of the"TAIKO" Japanese drum performance ,and feel the beat of the heart which is the rhythm of your own life and we all rejoices in the benefits of nature and the renewal of life!
And it is performed in hopes of overcoming loneliness and anxiety from people suffering from adversity and finding hope for life.