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{{Short description|Traditional Japanese decoration as yorishiro of the New Year}}
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[[Image:Pair gate with pine branches for the New Year,kadomatsu,katori-city,japan.JPG|thumb|220px|right|Kadomatsu]]
{{for|the Japanese musician|Toshiki Kadomatsu}}
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.
{{Italic title|reason=[[:Category:Japanese words and phrases]]}}
[[File:SANY0032_(3158073374).jpg|thumb|right|Two ''kadomatsu'' made of bamboo]]
[[File:Kadomatsu - nagano - 2023 Dec 30.ogg|thumb|thumbtime=1|Two kadomatsu at a Shinto shrine in [[Nagano Prefecture|Nagano]], 2023]]


{{Nihongo|'''''Kadomatsu'''''|[[Wiktionary:門松|門松]]||"gate [[pine]]"}} are traditional [[Japan]]ese decorations made for the [[Japanese New Year|New Year]]. They are a type of ''[[yorishiro]]'', or objects intended to welcome ancestral spirits or ''[[kami]]'' of the harvest.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ikenobo.jp/english/about/history.html#his01|title=History of Ikebana &#124; IKENOBO ORIGIN OF IKEBANA}}</ref> ''Kadomatsu'' are usually placed in pairs in front of homes and buildings.
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== Construction and placement ==


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==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 places 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.
Historically, ''kadomatsu'' was often made with [[pine]] wood, but these days bamboo is more common. The central portion of the ''kadomatsu'' is formed from three large bamboos, though plastic ''kadomatsu'' are available. 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 ==
== Usage ==
In modern times, ''kadomatsu'' are placed after [[Christmas]] until January 7 (or January 15 during the [[Edo period]]) and are considered temporary housing (''[[shintai]]'') 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2014/01/01/general/lucky-food-charming-decorations-visiting-deities-welcoming-the-new-year-with-history-tradition/#.VzkU7oR97IV|title=Lucky food, charming decorations, visiting deities: welcoming the new year with history, tradition {{!}} The Japan Times|website=The Japan Times|date=January 2014|language=en-US|access-date=2016-05-16}}</ref> "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.
<gallery>
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Image:Gate with pine branches for the New Year,kadomatsu (kanto),katori-city,japan.JPG|Kadomatsu (門松)
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Image:Minikadomatsu700en-2008.jpg|Three "mini" kadomatsu being sold outside for 700 YEN each.


== Other information ==
The ''kadomatsu'' is included in [[Unicode]] as the [[emoji]] {{unichar|1F38D|PINE DECORATION}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=Picture This: A List of Japanese Emoji |url=https://www.nippon.com/en/japan-topics/b00137/picture-this-a-list-of-japanese-emoji.html |website=Nippon.com|publisher=Nippon Communications Foundation |first=Richard |last=Medhurst |date=29 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://emojipedia.org/pine-decoration/ |title=Pine Decoration Emoji |website=[[Emojipedia]]}}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery mode=packed widths="200" heights="200">
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File:Gate with pine branches for the New Year,kadomatsu (kanto),katori-city,japan.JPG|''Kadomatsu'' of East Japan ([[Kantō region]])
File:Kadomatu18.JPG|''Kadomatsu'' of West Japan ([[Kansai region]])
File:小さな門松 - a small kadomatsu (25 cm) 1JAN2021.jpg|A small ''kadomatsu''
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File:Minikadomatsu700en-2008.jpg|Three miniature ''kadomatsu'' being sold outside for 700 Yen each
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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
File:Edo_Kadomatsu01.JPG|''Kadomatsu'' in the style of the [[Edo period]]
File:Shimane Kadomatsu - various - Jan 5 2018 17 14 50 897000.jpeg|A flat topped ''kadomatsu'' in [[Shimane Prefecture|Shimane]]
File:Kadomatsu-big-easyview-2009.jpg|''Kadomatsu'' in [[Kamakura, Kanagawa|Kamakura]]
</gallery>
</gallery>
[[fr:Kadomatsu]]
[[id:Kadomatsu]]
[[ja:門松]]


==See also==
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{{japan-culture-stub}}
* [[Christmas tree]]
* [[Christmas wreath]]
* [[Corn dolly]]
* [[Mistletoe]]
* [[New Year tree]]
* [[Three Friends of Winter]]
* [[Trees in mythology]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}2. [http://thehawaiiherald.com/2012/12/all-about-kadomatsu/ The Hawaii Herald]

== External links ==
{{Commonscat-inline|Kadomatsu}}

{{Shinto shrine}}
[[Category:Articles containing video clips]]
[[Category:New Year in Japan]]
[[Category:Shinto]]

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{{Japan-culture-stub}}

Revision as of 00:10, 19 February 2024

For the Japanese musician, see Toshiki Kadomatsu.

Two kadomatsu made of bamboo
Two kadomatsu at a Shinto shrine in Nagano, 2023

Kadomatsu (門松, "gate pine") are traditional Japanese decorations made for the New Year. They are a type of yorishiro, or objects intended to welcome ancestral spirits or kami of the harvest.[1] Kadomatsu are usually placed in pairs in front of homes and buildings.

Construction and placement

Historically, kadomatsu was often made with pine wood, but these days bamboo is more common. The central portion of the kadomatsu is formed from three large bamboos, though plastic kadomatsu are available. 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.

Usage

In modern times, kadomatsu are placed after Christmas until January 7 (or January 15 during the Edo period) and are considered temporary housing (shintai) 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.[2] "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.

Other information

The kadomatsu is included in Unicode as the emoji U+1F38D 🎍 PINE DECORATION.[3][4]

  • Kadomatsu of East Japan (Kantō region)
    Kadomatsu of East Japan (Kantō region)
  • Kadomatsu of West Japan (Kansai region)
    Kadomatsu of West Japan (Kansai region)
  • A small kadomatsu
    A small kadomatsu
  • Three miniature kadomatsu being sold outside for 700 Yen each
    Three miniature kadomatsu being sold outside for 700 Yen each
  • Kadomatsu
    Kadomatsu
  • A small kadomatsu in a store
    A small kadomatsu in a store
  • A kadomatsu in Kyoto style
    A kadomatsu in Kyoto style
  • Kadomatsu in the style of the Edo period
    Kadomatsu in the style of the Edo period
  • A flat topped kadomatsu in Shimane
    A flat topped kadomatsu in Shimane
  • Kadomatsu in Kamakura
    Kadomatsu in Kamakura

See also

References

  1. ^ "History of Ikebana | IKENOBO ORIGIN OF IKEBANA".
  2. ^ "Lucky food, charming decorations, visiting deities: welcoming the new year with history, tradition | The Japan Times". The Japan Times. January 2014. Retrieved 2016-05-16.
  3. ^ Medhurst, Richard (29 April 2019). "Picture This: A List of Japanese Emoji". Nippon.com. Nippon Communications Foundation.
  4. ^ "Pine Decoration Emoji". Emojipedia.

2. The Hawaii Herald

Media related to Kadomatsu at Wikimedia Commons

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