View source for Kadomatsu

{{Unreferenced stub|auto=yes|date=December 2009}}
[[File:Kadomatsu-big-easyview-2009.jpg|thumb|right|Kadomatsu in [[Kamakura, Kanagawa|Kamakura]].]]
A {{Nihongo|'''kadomatsu'''|門松||lit. "gate [[pine]]"}} is a traditional [[Japan]]ese decoration of the [[Japanese New Year|New Year]] placed in pairs in front of homes supposedly to welcome ancestral spirits or ''[[kami]]'' of the harvest. They are placed after [[Christmas]] until January 7 (or January 15 during the [[Edo period]]) and are considered temporary housing for ''kami''. Designs for ''kadomatsu'' vary depending on region but are typically made of [[pine]], [[bamboo]], and sometimes [[ume]] tree sprigs which represent longevity, prosperity and steadfastness, respectively. “The fundamental function of the New Year ceremonies is to honor and receive the toshigami (deity), who will then bring a bountiful harvest for farmers and bestow the ancestors’ blessing on everyone.” After January 15 (or in many instances the 19th) the Kadomatsu is burned to appease the ''[[kami]]'' or ''[[toshigami]]'' and release them.

==Construction and placement==
The central portion of the ''kadomatsu'' is formed from three large bamboo shoots, though plastic ''kadomatsu'' are available. Similar to several traditions of [[ikebana]] (Japanese flower arrangement), the shoots are set at different heights and represent [[heaven]], [[human race|humanity]], and [[earth]] with heaven being the highest and earth being the lowest. Some ''kadomatsu'' place the humanity and earth shoots at the same height. After binding all the elements of the ''kadomatsu'', it is bound with a straw mat and newly woven straw rope. ''Kadomatsu'' are placed in pairs on either side of the gate, representing male and female.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Gate with pine branches for the New Year,kadomatsu (kanto),katori-city,japan.JPG|Kadomatsu of the East Japan([[Kantō region]])
File:Kadomatu18.JPG|Kadomatsu of the West Japan([[Kansai region]])
File:Minikadomatsu700en-2008.jpg|Three "mini" kadomatsu being sold outside for 700 Yen each
File:Pair gate with pine branches for the New Year,kadomatsu,katori-city,japan.JPG|Kadomatsu
File:Minikadomatsu-store-2008.jpg|A small kadomatsu in a store
File:Kadomatsu Kyoto JPN 001.jpg|A kadomatsu in Kyoto style
</gallery>
{{Commons category|Kadomatsu}}



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