Read on Twitter
DECORATING THE NEW YEAR
As soon as Christmas is over in Japan, and sometimes on Christmas day itself (depending on whether you celebrate on the 24th or 25th), the Christmas decorations are taken down and replaced with more traditional fare in preparation for the New Year.
There are 2 main types of New Year decorations: standing 'Kadomatsu' (門松 lit. 'Pine Gate') & hanging 'Shimekazari' (注連飾り).
Displayed now until around January 7th, both types of decoration originally acted as an invitation (& temporary home) for ancestral & harvest spirits.
Displayed now until around January 7th, both types of decoration originally acted as an invitation (& temporary home) for ancestral & harvest spirits.
KADOMATSU (門松)Kadomatsu come in pairs, and are usually placed either side of gates, doors or entranceways. Although the design differs depending on the region, they generally include pine, bamboo and perhaps ume sprigs (symbolising longevity, prosperity and steadfastness).
Kadomatsu are far more than just household or business decorations. They function as a 'Yorishiro' (依り代), a physical object that both calls to and acts as temporary home for spirits or kami. When the kami is in occupancy the 'Yorishiro' is known as a 'Shintai' (神体).
#Japan
#Japan
At the turning of the year Kadomatsu invite 'Toshigami' (年神 the 'Year God') to take up temporary residence.
Known also as Ōtoshi (大歳神), Nigihayahi (饒速日尊) and Ōtoshi (大年神), the god is believed to bestow blessings on the household and promises of a bountiful harvest.
Known also as Ōtoshi (大歳神), Nigihayahi (饒速日尊) and Ōtoshi (大年神), the god is believed to bestow blessings on the household and promises of a bountiful harvest.
From January 15th-19th (although the New Year period ends on the 7th nowadays, it ended on the 15th in the Edo period) the New Year decorations are taken to shrines to be ceremonially burnt to release the 'Toshigami'. This event is known as 'Dondoyaki' (どんと焼き).
#Japan #Kyoto
#Japan #Kyoto
Kadomatsu began in the Heian period, emerging from an even older New Year ceremony called Komatsu-hiki (小松引き 'Pulling out a Young Pine').
On the 'First Day of the Rat' (初子) people -especially children- would hunt for & pull up pine seedlings as a prayer for longevity.
On the 'First Day of the Rat' (初子) people -especially children- would hunt for & pull up pine seedlings as a prayer for longevity.
Heian literature is the first to mention pine sprigs placed as New Year decorations at doorways.
The association between the pine tree and the god 'Toshigami' likely comes from the closeness between the word for pine 'matsu' (松) and the word for enshrine/deify 'matsuru' (祀る).
The association between the pine tree and the god 'Toshigami' likely comes from the closeness between the word for pine 'matsu' (松) and the word for enshrine/deify 'matsuru' (祀る).
Until the Muromachi period it was common to use only pine branches as decoration, but from this time bamboo began to make an appearance.
It became standard practice to use 3 stalks of bamboo, each set at a different height, to represent heaven (the tallest), humanity & the earth.
It became standard practice to use 3 stalks of bamboo, each set at a different height, to represent heaven (the tallest), humanity & the earth.
While each pair of Kadomatsu may look identical, there was originally one subtle difference: the left used black pine 'kuro-matsu' (黒松) and the right red pine 'aka-matsu' (赤松).
Black pine symbolised a man and so was called 'O-matsu' (男松), the red a woman 'Me-matsu' (女松).
Black pine symbolised a man and so was called 'O-matsu' (男松), the red a woman 'Me-matsu' (女松).
You may notice that the bamboo displayed in Kadomatsu has been cut in 1 of 2 ways: diagonally 'sogi' (そぎ) or flat 'zundō' (寸胴).
It is thought the 'sogi' cut symbolizes Tokugawa Ieyasu's (徳川家康) promise to 'cut down' his enemy Takeda Shingen (武田信玄) after a 1572 defeat.
It is thought the 'sogi' cut symbolizes Tokugawa Ieyasu's (徳川家康) promise to 'cut down' his enemy Takeda Shingen (武田信玄) after a 1572 defeat.
SHIMEKAZARIShimekazari (しめ飾り) function in a similar manner to Kadomatsu, though they do not actually act as a temporary home for the ancestral god at New Year. Their purpose is to protect the home from evil spirits and to openly welcome 'Toshigami' (年神 the 'Year God').
The main portion of the Shimekazari is made from a 'shimenawa' (標縄), a rice-straw or hemp rope used in ritual purifications & to denote sacred spaces.
Often bound into a hoop, the more traditional Shimekazari feature elements such as 'shide' (紙垂), zig-zag paper streamers.
Often bound into a hoop, the more traditional Shimekazari feature elements such as 'shide' (紙垂), zig-zag paper streamers.
