January event - New Year's Decorations

< Introducing Japanese culture >

New Year's decorations

After the Christmas, we will have New Year's decorations. This is from the office of our group chairman of the Yokohama 87.

In Japan, we decorate offices and private homes like this. This is a typical decoration.

What do you do on New Year's Day?

【日本文化紹介の事例】 自団の団委員長が投稿されたお正月飾りの写真を拝借して、日本の文化紹介を海外スカウトに発信。 皆さんからのお正月の挨拶（年賀状等）や活動紹介で背景等に出てくるお正月飾りの説明としても使えるかなと期待。 お飾りの詳細は、ウィキペディア（英語）へのリンクで。
安井 馨さんの投稿 2019年12月28日土曜日

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Originally, Shogatsu-gyoji (New Year event) was held to welcome and worship Toshigami, the god of the year.

For the Japanese who were agricultural people, Toshigami, the god of good harvest, was considered as an important god.

In addition, since it is said to bring life and happiness, people prepared to worship Toshigami by displaying KADOMATSU and SHIMENAWA near New Year's Day.

The pine, bamboo and plum trees on the KADOMATSU have their own meanings.

Pine trees are used for auspicious events because they lead to "worship".

Bamboo grows tall in about 2 ~ 3 days, so it has the meaning of a symbol of vitality.

The plums that bloom in the new spring are decorated as flowers suitable for the beginning of the year, and it is common to decorate KADOMATSU with both Kobai and Hakubai (red and white plum).

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Please see the links below for more information:

• << KADOMATSU >>
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kadomatsu

• << KAMIDANA >>
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamidana

• << SHIMENAWA >>
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shimenawa

• << KAGAMIMOCHI >>
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kagami_mochi