Nihongo no Tane 166: お正月映画 New Years Movies | Japanese Immersion podcast

In this episode of Nihongo no Tane, Yumi takes us back to a beloved Japanese custom that is slowly fading: the “New Year Film” tradition. She recalls how families would flock to theaters to watch holiday releases like Otoko wa Tsurai yo, Tsuribaka Nisshi, and even Godzilla. Yumi fondly remembers her father’s love for these films and reflects on how the genre has evolved, with fewer people nowadays making special New Year trips to the cinema. Instead, she points out how streaming services and a changing culture have shifted the way people experience movies. Tune in for an engaging look at the past and present of celebrating the New Year with film in Japan, and hear Yumi’s thoughts on what she and her family chose to watch this year!

 

 

KEY VOCABULARY:

1. 正月映画(しょうがつえいが) — New Year's movie; films typically released around the New Year's season in Japan. 「正月(しょうがつ)」(New Year) + 「映画(えいが)」(movie).
2. ジャンル — Genre; a category or type, often used to classify movies, books, etc.
3. 年末年始(ねんまつねんし) — Year-end and New Year's; the period encompassing the end of December and the beginning of January. 「年末(ねんまつ)」(year-end) + 「年始(ねんし)」(beginning of the year).
4. 上映(じょうえい)される 映画(えいが) — Movies being screened; films that are shown or exhibited in theaters. 「上映(じょうえい)」(screening/showing) is combined with 「される」(passive form of する, "to do"), meaning "to be screened."
5. 後半(こうはん) — The latter half; the second half of a period, such as a month or year. 「後(こう)」(later/after) + 「半(はん)」(half).
6. 封切(ふうき)られる映画(えいが) — Movies being released; films that premiere or are first shown in theaters. 「封切(ふうぎ)る」(to release a movie) in its passive form, 「封切(ふうき)られる」(to be released).
7. 初(はつ)もうで — Hatsumōde; the first shrine visit of the New Year, a traditional Japanese custom. 「初(はつ)」(first) + 「もうで」(visit to a shrine or temple).
8. シリーズ — Series; a set of related works, often movies, books, or TV shows, released in succession.
9. 監督(かんとく) — Director; the person responsible for overseeing the creation of a movie or other production.

• 主演(しゅえん) — Leading role; the main actor or actress in a film or production. 「主(しゅ)」(main) + 「演(えん)」(performance).
• 日誌(にっし) — Diary or journal; often used in titles to indicate a record of events, such as Tsuribaka Nisshi (The Diary of a Fishing Fool). 「日(にっ)」(day) + 「誌(し)」(record).
• 公開(こうかい)される — To be released or made public; often refers to movies or works being available to the public. 「公開(こうかい)」(release/opening to the public) is combined with 「される」(passive form of する, "to do"), meaning "to be released."
• 以前(いぜん) — Previously; in the past or before a certain point in time.
• 平社員(ひらしゃいん) — Ordinary employee; a worker without managerial or senior responsibilities. 「平(ひら)」(plain) + 「社員(しゃいん)」(employee).
• 大企業(だいきぎょう) — Large company; a big corporation or enterprise. 「大(だい)」(big) + 「企業(きぎょう)」(enterprise).
• 日本各地(にほんかくち) — Various places in Japan; throughout different regions of the country. 「日本(にほん)」(Japan) + 「各地(かくち)」(various places).
• 実家(じっか) — One's family home; the house where one grew up or their parents' home. 「実(じっ)」(real/true) + 「家(か)」(home/house).
• 役(やく) — Role; a part or character played by an actor in a movie or production.
• 終了(しゅうりょう) — Completion or conclusion; the end of an event, series, or activity. 「終(しゅう)」(end) + 「了(りょう)」(finish).
• 時期(じき) — Period or season; a specific time frame. 「時(じ)」(time) + 「期(き)」(period).
• 過去形(かこけい) — Past tense; a grammatical form indicating actions or states in the past. 「過去(かこ)」(past) + 「形(けい)」(form).
• 定番(ていばん) — Standard or classic; something considered a staple or go-to choice in a particular context. 「定」(fixed) + 「番」(number/order).
• なくなりつつあります — Is gradually disappearing; indicates something is in the process of vanishing or declining. 「なくなる」(to disappear) in its ます-stem form, 「なくなり」, followed by