Koto Yoka - Koto Yoka

Japanese: こと八日 - ことようか

It refers to the 8th of February and December. In eastern Japan, it is held in both months, while in western Japan, it is often held only in December. It is said that the reason there are few events on February 8th in western Japan is because Harugoto is held around the same time. In eastern Japan, places where it is held in both months generally call February 8th Kotohajime and December 8th Kotoosame, but there are some places around Tokyo where it is the other way around. If Koto is interpreted as the various events held throughout the year to welcome the gods, then the former name is correct, but if Koto is considered to be the largest divine festival of the year centered around New Year, then December 8th should be called Kotohajime, as it marks the beginning of the abstention period.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

2月と12月の8日をいう。東日本では両月に行い，西日本では12月のみの所が多い。西日本で2月8日の行事が少ないのは，同じころに春ゴトが行われるためであるとされている。東日本の両月行う所では2月8日をコトハジメ，12月8日をコトオサメとするのが一般的であるが，その逆だとする所も東京近辺にはある。コトを神々を迎えて行う一年間の各行事と解釈すれば，前者の呼び方が正しいが，正月を中心とする一年で最も大きな神祭をコトだと考えれば，むしろその物忌の始まりという意味で12月8日をコトハジメとする方が本来のものといえるだろう。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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