To prepare for Shogatsu (正月)
Shogatsu is New Year period, which is most important holiday in Japan.
A few days after Christmas, to prepare for shogatsu, a general house cleaning is done, and the pine and bamboo kadomatsu decoration and shimenawa braided straw ropes are set out.
It’s a custom with its roots in the Shinto religion.
正月の準備
正月は日本人にとって最も重要な祝日です。
クリスマスが終わると、正月の準備のため、家の大掃除を終え、門松や注連縄飾りを取りつけます。
神道にルーツを持つ伝統的な習慣だといえます。
The pine and bamboo kadomatsu decoration
Kadomatsu (kadomatsu: 門松) is the gate for receiving the year gads.
Many Japanese decorate the front door of houses, shops, company buildings and shrines with a pair of kadomatsu during the New Year’s Day. Kadomatsu is a decoration consisting of bamboo and pine branches and symbolizes longevity and prosperity. It signifies that we welcome the Shinto gods.
門松
門松は年神様をお迎えする入口、門です。
正月に一対の門松を家の前や店先、会社の建物や神社の入り口を飾ることが多いです。門松は竹と松の枝からなる装飾で、それらは長寿と繁栄を象徴しており、それを飾ることで神道の神々を歓迎してお迎えするという意味を表しています。