26/12/2022 05:00 Weather news
I think there are a lot of people who say, “I decorated this as soon as Christmas was over.” New Year’s decorations have bad luck days.
We asked Shinmeido Co., Ltd. (Iida City, Nagano Prefecture), which designs, manufactures and sells traditional handicrafts such as New Year decorations, about the meaning and taboos of New Year decorations.
Each meaning of New Year’s decorations
“Kadomatsu, kagami rice cakes and shimenawa are typical New Year’s decorations, but in general it has become common in households to hang shimekazari, which are shimenawa decorated with good luck charms, at the entrance.
Originally the shimenawa, a decoration of the new year, had the meaning of welcoming the god of the new year and sweeping away the impurities of the old year. It also has the meaning of guarding the spirits of ancestors, wishing a bountiful harvest in the new year, good health and safety at home.” (Shinmeido)
I was introduced to the meaning of each decoration of the general “shimekazari”.
▼Orange:As the fruit grows large without falling from the tree, it signifies prosperity for generations to come.
▼Pine, bamboo, plum, crane, turtle:It has the meaning of welcoming the auspiciousness of the new year, and the pine is a particularly auspicious evergreen tree.
▼Mizuhiki:It is tied with a wish for good luck.
▼ Urashiro:Welcome the New Year with a white feeling from the inside out and make your wishes for longevity.
▼Royal Coin・Four Hands:It is used as a sign of a clean place.
▼ Shimenawa:It is decorated as a sign to purify the surrounding impurities and stop the invasion of disasters.
“Furthermore, ‘Yuzuriha’ means to protect the family for generations and the prosperity of the descendants, ‘Konbu’ means the development of the family, ‘Ise lobster’ means eternal youth and longevity, and ‘Nanten’ means ‘overcoming difficulties.’” ( Shinmeido)
Are there days when you can’t decorate?
“It is normal to appear on December 26, 27, 28 or 30.
The 29th is considered an unlucky day, which means “double suffering”, so it is best avoided. Also, decorating the 31st is called “Ichiyakazari”, which is considered disrespectful to Toshigami-sama.
Avoid 29 and 31 and hang it in front of the entrance (door).
After New Year’s it is customary to cook rice with dondo-yaki, but there have been objections in recent years due to concerns about environmental issues. Please dispose of it according to the instructions of your local government.” (Shinmeido)
Do you understand the meaning of New Year’s “shimekazari” and the day it should be displayed? Let’s follow the tradition and welcome the new year God with a reverent feeling.
Reference materials, etc.
Cooperation Interview / Shinmeido Co., Ltd. (Iida City, Nagano Prefecture)
