After a friendly complaint about the paltry kadomatsu (literally, gate pine) on yesterdays’ post, I took my camera with me today. Pairs of kadomatsu, flanking the entrance to homes or businesses, have been ensuring a fresh start to the New Year with their auspicious symbolism for over 400 years. Matsu (pine) is the most important component, signifying longevity as the pine tree is long-lived. Take (bamboo) represents strength and prosperity, as it grows straight and strong. Ume (plum blossom) is sometimes added, symbolizing endurance, hope and constancy, as it is the first flower to bloom after winter. Chrysanthemum (signifying perfection, wealth and truth) and other flowers are sometimes added too. The arrangement is bound in rice straw and sometimes zig-zag heisoku (Shinto sacred papers) are tied on too. Officially, there should be 3 pieces of bamboo, cut on an angle to allow the spirits to enter, and all facing different directions to ward off evil spirits, but as you can see, florists take quite a bit of artistic license. I am not sure what the oranges signify (perhaps a sweet year?), but please let me know if you do.
Kat
You know I love the kadomatsu and your blog! Welcome 2011!
Tokyo Jinja
Thank you!
Lisa
I am so sorry that you received a friendly complaint about the previous kadomatsu post. 🙂
This one does such a great job at showing what’s really out there.
Tokyo Jinja
Friendly complaints are key to improvement! Keep ’em coming!
Kendra
I adore that last photo!
Tokyo Jinja
Quilt inspiring, don’t you think?
Desiree
Thank you for sharing additional pictures! I still miss that New Year tradition in Tokyo…How long do they keep the kadomatsu out in January? Is there a specific day that they take them down?
Tokyo Jinja
I think it is January 15th, although another friend says people are taking them down on the 7th. I’ll check in the neighborhood and report back!
Tokyo Jinja
Most went down on the 7th….sorry to see them go!
greenkooka
I love walking around Tokyo with you! I’d like to make one for next year…
Tokyo Jinja
I don’t think they would be hard to make….Maybe there are tutorial online? If not, perhaps a DIY for next year.
Sho-Chiku-Bai…The Three Friends of Winter: Pine, Bamboo and Plum « Tokyo Jinja
[…] All of these example came from the Antique Jamboree held at Tokyo Big Sight the weekend of January 8-9th. And for more on the symbolism of these three friends, see Kadomatsu…A Traditional Welcome for the New Year. […]
tokyojojo
Most of the New Year’s decorations are removed by Jan 7th so that they can be burned at shrines on Jan 8th….1/08 or 108 which is the same number of times the bells are run at buddhist temples on New Year’s Eve. Supposedly there are 108 serious earthly sins or defilements that stop us from achieving nirvana.
Krissttina Isobe
Hello:
I just found out you can place heavenely bamboo in the kadomatsu too:
http://www.culturalnews.com/?p=5213. I too wonder about flowers in the kadomatsu. We’re Yamaguchiken and we only have pine and bamboo. Thanks for the informative article. No problem in advance about the information.