Feng shui for the big clean: putting your luck in order at the year’s end
The big clean (ōsōji), washing away a year’s dirt to welcome the new one, is part of the Japanese calendar of customs, and feng shui sees it as an important chance to put the home in order. Its original meaning was susu-harai, sweeping away the soot to welcome the New Year god in comfort.
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1.When does it start?
Traditionally, December 13 is Shōgatsu Kotohajime, “the start of New Year preparations”, the day for sweeping the soot and fetching pine for the New Year gate decorations. Edo Castle is said to have held its soot-sweeping on this day too.
- Start: from around December 13
- Finish: by December 28. The 29th (nijūku, which sounds like “double suffering”) and the 31st (“one-night decorations”) are days to avoid for New Year decorations, so finishing the cleaning and decorating by the 28th puts your mind at rest.
2.Lucky and unlucky days at the year’s end (December 13–28)
To help you choose days for starting the big clean and preparing the New Year decorations, here are the rokuyō and lucky and unlucky days from Kotohajime to the 28th (updated automatically each year).
December 2026
| Date | Rokuyō | Lucky | Unlucky |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 13 (Sun) | Senbu | Fujōju-bi | |
| Dec 14 (Mon) | Butsumetsu | ||
| Dec 15 (Tue) | Taian | Ichiryū-manbai-bi | |
| Dec 16 (Wed) | Shakkō | Kinoe-ne day, Tenshabi, Ichiryū-manbai-bi | |
| Dec 17 (Thu) | Senshō | ||
| Dec 18 (Fri) | Tomobiki | Tiger day | Sanrinbō |
| Dec 19 (Sat) | Senbu | Jushi-bi | |
| Dec 20 (Sun) | Butsumetsu | ||
| Dec 21 (Mon) | Taian | Tsuchinoto-mi day | Fujōju-bi |
| Dec 22 (Tue) | Shakkō | ||
| Dec 23 (Wed) | Senshō | ||
| Dec 24 (Thu) | Tomobiki | ||
| Dec 25 (Fri) | Senbu | ||
| Dec 26 (Sat) | Butsumetsu | ||
| Dec 27 (Sun) | Taian | Ichiryū-manbai-bi | |
| Dec 28 (Mon) | Shakkō | Ichiryū-manbai-bi |
Almanac notes can differ between traditions. The cleaning itself can be done whenever suits you, regardless of lucky or unlucky days. For New Year decorations, people usually avoid the 29th and the 31st.
3.The order that brings luck
- Throw out: first let go of what you don’t need. With fewer things, cleaning is easier too.
- Top to bottom: dust the ceiling and lights first, and wipe the floor last.
- Back to front: start at the far end of the home and finish at the entrance.
4.Tips by area
The entrance
The most important place, and the one you finish with. Wipe the floor with a damp cloth and sort out the shoe cupboard. This is also where you get ready to put up the New Year decorations and your zodiac figure. → Feng shui for the entrance
Water areas
The toilet, kitchen and bathroom collect a year’s worth of grime. Don’t forget the drains and the extractor fan. → Feng shui for water areas
Windows
Windows are where outside qi comes in. Polishing the glass brightens the room.
Your wallet and bag
Clearing out receipts and old cards and tidying them up at the year’s end lets you start the new year feeling fresh. → Feng shui for money
5.Check the calendar for the holidays too
Some people match the big clean and New Year decorations to lucky days in the almanac. Check this month’s lucky days on today’s calendar and the lucky day calendar. For next year, see your fortune for 2027 (Japanese) and next year’s eto.
6.FAQ
By when should the big clean be finished?
The 28th of December is the usual deadline. The 29th is linked by wordplay with “double suffering” and the 31st with “one-night decorations”, so like New Year decorations, cleaning is often kept off those days.
Can I clean after New Year?
There is a saying that cleaning on New Year’s Day sweeps your good fortune out. If it bothers you, skip cleaning on January 1 and start on the 2nd.
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