first crow of the New Year
Refers to the crow's caw heard on New Year's Day, considered an auspicious or seasonal sign in traditional Japanese culture.
It is said that hearing the first crow of the New Year on the morning of New Year's Day brings good luck.
Standard kanji spelling using the common form 烏 for 'crow'.
Variant using the older or less common kanji 鴉 for 'crow'.
Compound of 初 (hatsu, 'first') and 烏 (karasu, 'crow'), with rendaku voicing of the second element. The exact historical origin of the New Year's association is uncertain, but it likely stems from traditional seasonal observances.