Decoding the Traditional Japanese New Year Decorations

Ah, New Year in Japan – a time for renewal, reflection, and of course, decoration! It is the time when you stroll through the streets of Japan, and you see all kinds of cool traditional decorations, then you get curious, “What are they for?” Fret not, my fellow travellers – I’ve got you covered with the answers to all your burning questions. Today, I will be introducing the different kinds of traditional Japanese New Year decorations, and explaining the meaning behind them!

The Meaning and History Behind Japanese New Year Decorations

Let’s start with the basics. What exactly is the history of all these decorations, and why are they so important? The answer lies in welcoming the Toshigami-sama (年神様) – the New Year deity that brings good fortune, health, and blessings for the year ahead. These decorations act as beacons for the Toshigami-sama to find their way into your home and bring a fresh dose of luck, health, and prosperity.

Each decoration has its own meaning and purpose. Let’s explore the most iconic ones:

Kagamimochi (鏡餅) – The Mirror Rice Cake

This little beauty is more than just a pretty centrepiece. Kagamimochi (鏡餅) is a traditional New Year’s edible decoration consisting of two round, flat rice cakes stacked on top of each other, symbolizing dualities like past and future, or yin and yang, and representing the hope for stacked fortune and a prosperous, harmonious year. Topped with a daidai (a type of citrus), it symbolizes the wish for generational prosperity and longevity. It is believed the power of the deity resides within the cake! Typically displayed on shrines, alcoves, and entrances, it invites the New Year Deity into the home. After New Year’s, during kagami biraki (鏡開き) on January 11, the mochi is cracked open and shared among family members, spreading the divine blessings amongst all. Therefore, it is essential not to discard it but to consume it, as doing so allows the family to receive all of the fortune and energy of the god for the year ahead.

Fun fact, the reason why it is called a Mirror Cake is because the round shape of the cake is said to resemble ancient bronze mirrors, which were once used to reflect divine power!

Kadomatsu (門松) – The Gate Pine

Tall, majestic, and often made of pine, bamboo, and plum, the Kadomatsu (門松) stands guard at the entrance of homes to guide and welcome the New Year Deity inside. The pine represents enduring life and strength, while specifically, the three bamboo shoots represent heaven, earth, and humanity, symbolizing harmony and balance. Displayed in symmetrical pairs, it marks the boundary between the divine and everyday worlds. Kadomatsu is usually set up by December 28 and should be removed by January 7 or 15, ensuring the home is prepared to receive blessings. For apartment dwellers, mini versions of kodomatsu (made from paper or felt) can work wonders, especially near your front door!

Shimekazari (しめ飾り) – The Rope Decoration

Made from braided rice straw, this rope is hung above the door to create a boundary between the sacred and the secular. It’s there to ward off evil spirits and ensure that the toshigami-sama will feel welcomed at home. The shimekazari often features auspicious items like daidai (a type of citrus), urajiro (fern), and konbu (kelp), and shide (paper streams), each symbolizing prosperity, integrity, happiness, and protection against disasters.

Displaying shimekazari on a fortunate day like December 28 ensures the home is ready for the deity’s arrival. Hang this over your door or entryway. Make sure it’s placed at a higher point to create a “boundary” that the deity can pass through.

Eto Figurines (干支置物) – Zodiac Animal Figurines

Each year, a different animal of the Chinese zodiac (Eto) would appear as a New Year decoration. These cute and symbolic figures represent the spirit of the year ahead. In addition to its general significance, the eto (干支) figurine for 2025, which is the Year of the Snake (み or へび), holds special meaning. The snake, particularly the white snake, is a symbol of good fortune and is believed to enhance luck, financial prosperity, and personal growth. It is also thought to bring peace and harmony to the family. This year’s eto figurine is especially auspicious, making it an ideal decoration to invite these blessings into your home for the new year. Display your eto figurine in a prominent spot such as the entrance, living room, or on a shelf – somewhere the family can easily admire it throughout the year of the snake.

Shōgatsu-flowers (正月花) – The New Year’s Blooms

These flowers are just what you need to bring some natural beauty into your home. Matsu (pine), ume (plum), and senryō (千両, a plant with red berries) are the typical flowers used for New Year’s decoration. Each separate plant symbolises longevity, endurance and hope through the winter months, and wealth respectively. Chrysanthemums and Narcissus are also popular choices for the bouquet. While the former is traditionally believed to ward off evil spirits and is a symbol of longevity and rejuvenation, the latter is known for its resilient nature and its auspicious meaning of “self-love.” These flowers are used to welcome the New Year Deity and bring joy to guests visiting for the holiday, creating a bright and auspicious atmosphere for the year ahead. Place these blooms near your entrance or in the living room to bring in a natural touch of luck.

The Proper Way to Dispose of Your Decorations

So, you’ve had your fill of auspicious energy, and now it’s time to say goodbye to your festive decorations. But how do you dispose of them properly without offending the spirits?

The best way is through Sagi-chō (左義長), an annual fire festival around January 14 or 15, where the old decorations are burned to send the Deity back to the heavens. You’ll typically find this happening at a nearby shrine or community event. Some regions have different names for this tradition, such as dondoyaki (どんど焼き). If you can’t make it to a local fire event, many shrines offer a service to properly dispose of your decorations, so you’re sure to find something near you.

No time to attend the event? No worries, simply wrap your decorations in a newspaper, sprinkle a little salt to purify the decorations, and dispose of them separately from your regular trash.

When disposing of New Year’s decorations, it’s important to do so with a sense of gratitude. The key is to respectfully acknowledge the significance of the decorations and the blessings they brought into your home. How carefully you dispose of them is up to you, as it’s a personal decision guided by your feelings of appreciation. This mindful approach ensures that the ritual of letting go is just as meaningful as the act of welcoming the New Year.

Wrapping Up – Is It All Worth It?

Absolutely! Japanese New Year decorations are more than just for show; they’re steeped in centuries of tradition, bringing good fortune, protecting your home, and ensuring prosperity for the year ahead. So whether you’re going all out with a grand kadomatsu or just placing a humble shimekazari, know that you’re participating in a meaningful part of Japanese culture. The New Year is a time for celebrations and fresh beginnings, so why not join Japan and make sure you start the year right? Get those decorations up, and let the year begin!

Feature photo credit: Susann Schuster

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