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{{Short description|Traditional Japanese decoration as yorishiro of the New Year}}
{{Refimprove|date=November 2015}}
{{for|the Japanese musician|Toshiki Kadomatsu}}
[[File:住吉神社 (神戸市西区)2008初詣 社殿P1010466.jpg|thumb|right|Kadomatsu in [[Shinto shrine]]]]
{{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.
⚫
A {{Nihongo|'''kadomatsu'''|門松||"gate [[pine]]"}} is a traditional [[Japan]]ese decoration of the [[Japanese New Year|New Year]] placed in pairs in front of homes 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 (''[[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|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. The kadomatsu is included in [[Unicode]] as {{unichar|1F38D|PINE DECORATION}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://emojipedia.org/pine-decoration/ |title=Pine Decoration Emoji |website=[[Emojipedia]]}}</ref>


==Construction and placement==
==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.
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.<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.

== 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==
<gallery mode=packed widths="200" heights="200">
<gallery>
File:Gate with pine branches for the New Year,kadomatsu (kanto),katori-city,japan.JPG|''Kadomatsu'' of East Japan ([[Kantō region]])
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:Kadomatu18.JPG|''Kadomatsu'' of West Japan ([[Kansai region]])
File:小さな門松 - a small kadomatsu (25 cm) 1JAN2021.jpg|A small ''kadomatsu''
File:Minikadomatsu700en-2008.jpg|Three miniature ''kadomatsu'' being sold outside for 700 Yen each
File:Minikadomatsu700en-2008.jpg|Three miniature ''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:Pair gate with pine branches for the New Year,kadomatsu,katori-city,japan.JPG|''Kadomatsu''
Line 16: Line 26:
File:Kadomatsu Kyoto JPN 001.jpg|A ''kadomatsu'' in Kyoto style
File:Kadomatsu Kyoto JPN 001.jpg|A ''kadomatsu'' in Kyoto style
File:Edo_Kadomatsu01.JPG|''Kadomatsu'' in the style of the [[Edo period]]
File:Edo_Kadomatsu01.JPG|''Kadomatsu'' in the style of the [[Edo period]]
File:Kadomatsu M1181.jpg|A fancy ''kadomatsu''
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|thumb|right|Kadomatsu in [[Kamakura, Kanagawa|Kamakura]]
File:Kadomatsu-big-easyview-2009.jpg|''Kadomatsu'' in [[Kamakura, Kanagawa|Kamakura]]
</gallery>
</gallery>


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* [[Christmas tree]]
* [[Christmas tree]]
* [[Christmas wreath]]
* [[Christmas wreath]]
* [[Corn dolly]]
* [[Mistletoe]]
* [[New Year tree]]
* [[Three Friends of Winter]]
* [[Trees in mythology]]


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


== External links ==
⚫
[[Category:Japanese culture]]
{{Commonscat-inline|Kadomatsu}}


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


{{Japan-culture-stub}}
{{Japan-culture-stub}}

Latest 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

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]
  • 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

[edit]

References

[edit]
  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

[edit]

Media related to Kadomatsu at Wikimedia Commons

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