Usokae, January 7, Japan

Usokae is an event to dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane; a poet, scholar and politician during the Heian Period. Known for never telling lies he is worshipped as a god now. During the festival held at the shrine built where he died, people exchange wooden carved bullfinch. Bullfinch are thought to be lucky birds and by exchanging old ones for new you are exchanging the lies you have told in the previous year to truths. The luckiest few will find a golden one which means you will have a happy year.

Links: http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/spot/festival/usokae.html