早速、除夜の鐘を英語で説明してみましょう!
One of the main events on Ōmisoka (Dec 31st) is Joya no Kane (the bell on new year’s eve). This takes place at midnight when temples across Japan ring their bells a total of 108 times. The number 108 is said to correspond to the number of human’s worldly desires, and thus the bells are rung 108 times in order to get rid of these worldly desires. In authentic Joya no Kane rituals, the bells are rung 107 times on December 31st and once past midnight. There are many temples, however, that start their bell ringing at 0:00 (midnight). Joya no Kane is usually rung by the temple priests but there are many temples in which visitors can also participate in the bell ringing. If many people come to take part, the temple may allow the bells to be rung more than 108 times.