IWAKUNI, Japan -- Dec. 31, 2003, 11:59 p.m. - over a thousand Iwakuni residents gather in the chill, winter night at the Shirasaki Hachiman gu shrine. Bells from a nearby Buddhist temple infuse the air with ceremony and anticipation. The crowd won't be watching a ball drop, nor are they gathered for fireworks. They are assembled to offer prayers and make wishes during their most important holiday of the year. According to Yoko Seo, the Station culture instructor, gatherings like this occur throughout Japan every "Shogatsu" (New Year). The holiday actually began Dec. 31 and ended Jan. 3. Typically, most businesses shut down and families and friends gather together. Each year in Japan is traditionally viewed as completely separate, with Shogatsu providing a fresh start. All duties are ideally completed before the end of the year, and "bonenkai" parties (year forgetting parties) are held with the theme of leaving the old year's worries and troubles behind. Buckwheat noodles are eaten during the day or the evening to ensure prosperity and longevity. The noodles are called "toshikoshi soba" (buckwheat noodles for passing the year). The long, slim noodle represents living a long life in moderation, said Seo. As the evening goes on, families will begin heading to the local Shinto shrine to welcome in the New Year. At midnight, the Buddhist temples toll out 108 peals on their bells, summoning in the New Year. "Ringing the bell at a temple on New Year's Eve is a Buddhist tradition," said Seo. "Bells are rung 108 times in that, according to Buddhism, man has 108 troublesome desires, such as coveting, anger, and suspicion, and by hearing the bells toll 108 times people can rid themselves of such desires at the end of the year." TV stations broadcast the centers of activity at the various major shrines around the country and show the ringing of the massive bells at famous temples. At the local shrines where people can get close to the entrance, people toss their offering into the offertory box, pull the cord attached to the bell hanging from the rafter in front of the box, then clap their hands and pray, making petition for their New Year. "The bell ringing and the clapping are actions to let Kami (God) know the presence of a worshipper," said Seo. "After presenting offerings or throwing coins into an offering box placed in front of the alter, one bows twice deeply, then claps the hands twice. To make a sound is considered in Shinto tradition one way of communication with Kami. After that, one more bow should be followed, and the ritual of showing reverence to Kami is over. Repetition of bowing and clapping is an expression of deep reverence and a sincere mind of the worshipper." Before going home, the visitor to the shrine might buy an amulet for good luck or other charm such as an arrow, which symbolizes hitting the mark, said Seo. The charms are usually good for a year and there are places in the shrine compound to deposit the old charms from the year past, which are ceremoniously burned after the New Year's season. The Japanese people really appreciate ceremony, said Seo, especially the beginning and the ending of something. Awakening before sunrise on Jan. 1 is considered important, as viewing the first sunrise of the year is thought to be a good and proper start for the New Year. Again, the T.V. networks which have been broadcasting continuously throughout the night, show pictures of the first sunrise breaking at various locations in Japan. "Shogatsu is very important for Japanese people," said Seo. "There is a Japanese saying, 'Plan the year ahead on New Year's Day.' It is the time to make new year resolutions and enjoy family reunions because Shogatsu serves to punctuate life with an annual beginning and end."