New Year (shogatsu or oshogatsu) is the most (1)........holiday in Japan. Most businesses shut down January 1 to January 3, and families typically together (2) to spend the days (3)..... Years (4)........traditionally viewed as completely separate, with (5).........new year providing (6)... fresh start. Consequently, all duties are supposed to be be completed (7)...the end of the year, while bonenkai parties ("year forgetting parties") are held with the (8)... ..of leaving the old year's worries and troubles (9). Homes (10).. and entrance gates are decorated ...ornaments made of pine, bamboo and plum trees,
