Hatsuyume is a special Japanese word that means "first dream of the new year." In Japan, the new year is a very special time when people clean their homes, prepare special meals, and visit shrines to pray for good luck in the coming year.
On the night of December 31st, when the clock strikes midnight and the new year begins, many people go to bed hoping to have a hatsuyume. They believe that the first dream of the new year can tell them about their fortune and predict what will happen in the year ahead.
Some people believe that dreaming of Mount Fuji, a hawk, an eggplant, or a turtle is a good sign of luck and happiness for the coming year. Others believe that dreaming of fire or falling signifies bad luck.
Whether a hatsuyume is good or bad, it is seen as a very important tradition in Japan and is believed to set the tone for the entire year ahead. So, next time you go to sleep on New Year's Eve, see if you can have a hatsuyume too!