Kadomatsu: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Minikadomatsu-store-2008.jpg|thumb|Small kadomatsu in a store.]] |
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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. |
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. |
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Image:Gate with pine branches for the New Year,kadomatsu (kanto),katori-city,japan.JPG|Kadomatsu (門松) |
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. |
Image:Minikadomatsu700en-2008.jpg|Three "mini" kadomatsu being sold outside for 700 YEN each. |
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[[fr:Kadomatsu]] |
[[fr:Kadomatsu]] |
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Revision as of 06:47, 30 December 2008
A kadomatsu (門松, lit. "gate pine") is a traditional Japanese decoration of the 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.
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, 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.
Gallery
<gallery> Image:Gate with pine branches for the New Year,kadomatsu (kanto),katori-city,japan.JPG|Kadomatsu (門松) Image:Minikadomatsu700en-2008.jpg|Three "mini" kadomatsu being sold outside for 700 YEN each. Image:Pair gate with pine branches for the New Year,kadomatsu,katori-city,japan.JPG|Large kadomatsu
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