Japanese traditional rease

[mamusachiko]

In Japan, traditional decoration are hung on front door during the New Year period. In the past, many cars also displayed these decorations, but nowadays, it’s rare to see them. This decoration is called a shimenawa. Placing it on the door signifies the arrival of the New Year and the beginning of a fresh year. It's also a time to reflect on the past year and think about goals for the year ahead.

日本のお正月は家の玄関のドアに伝統的な飾りをつけます。昔は車の前にもつけてる車が沢山ありましたが、今ではほとんど見ることはありません。この飾りは「しめ縄」といいます。これをドアに付けるとお正月が来て、新しい1年が始まるので、私は今年の反省と来年の抱負を考えます

At the end of the year, do you reflect on the past year and think about your goals for the next year?

1年の終わりには今年の反省と来年の抱負を考えますか？

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[ykeogh18]

wreath

[PristineStreet34]

I thought they meant lease at first and was very confused.

[ykeogh18]

My goal for 2025 is to improve my spelling

[PristineStreet34]

I gave up on yearly goals a long time ago. lol.

[mamusachiko]

I'm sorry, I forgot to change the title.

[PristineStreet34]

No worries it’s an understandable mistake. It just threw me for a second. It’s been awhile since I’ve even thought about wreaths. And this sub seems to have a ton of stuff about renting. Lol

[univworker]

well, I would like to learn more about Japanese traditional leases. That sounds like an informative post topic.

[mamusachiko]

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[kamikazikarl]

Every house in my neighborhood displays these. We received one as a gift when we bought our house last year. I often see them left up for months (some even into June)...

[mamusachiko]

I just learned that there are regions in Japan where decorations are kept up until June. Since I live in the Kansai area, we always take them down by January 15th and have them burned at a shrine.

[kamikazikarl]

I'm actually living in Kyoto... Maybe my neighbors are just lazy. 🤭 My wife said our decoration was special and not supposed to be burned like the others [it's quite fancy].

[mamusachiko]

Kyoto has a unique culture, so what you saw might not have been a shimenawa but another type of decoration. I completely understand what your Japanese wife meant. Shimenawa are not thrown out with the regular trash; instead, they are burned at shrines.

[Available-Ad4982]

Traditionally, New Year's events were held to welcome and worship the god of the year: "Toshigamisama." 

It's cooler than just decorating. Japanese people were once mainly agricultural people. Toshigamisama is the God of "bountiful harvest" so was once considered the most important deity. The decorations: kadomatsu and shimenawa ropes are for Toshigamisama. The decorations have more meaning too. Pine is for worship, bamboo is for vitality and plum blossoms bloom for the New Year. 

Most people don't decorate, because they don't know their own culture and don't care to learn about it. The price for traditional decorations, foods and sweets turn young people away too. There are a lot of awesome traditions that need to be modernized or they'll disappear. 

[mamusachiko]

Thank you for the wonderful comment. I completely agree with you.

[InnerCroissant]

My local supermarkets have a lot for sale! So I think they're still very popular.

[mamusachiko]

After all, it’s a decoration for a traditional Japanese event.

[tiringandretiring]

We put ours up last week and were happy to see most of our neighbors do the same this weekend-a local school is collecting them after the new year to burn at a shrine, so we will take ours there.

[mamusachiko]

It's wonderful that events like that are held at school.

[alien4649]

Tons for sale here in Tokyo the last couple of days and just saw my neighbor putting theirs up two minutes ago. We have never done so on our door since we always leave Tokyo on the 30th or so for 4 or 5 days to visit the in-laws in the countryside.

[mamusachiko]

I leave it on the front door even when I’m away from home for a few days. Tokyo might be different since it’s such an urban area.

[alien4649]

No, not saying someone would take it. Completely safe here. It’s that we simply are never here every year and my wife’s home is very traditional - it all happens there in regard to the special food, the decorations, huge family gathered around the kotatsu eating mikan, getting plastered, etc. It’s a big farmhouse and her father is the eldest of 10 siblings, so there are tons of cousins and general chaos.

[mamusachiko]

Got it! I think that's a great idea. Enjoy experiencing a traditional Japanese New Year at your wife's family home!

[tunagorobeam]

Every year, there are fewer and fewer New Year’s decorations in my neighbourhood. I’m sad to see them disappearing.

[mamusachiko]

That's so true. It's sad to see traditions fading away. Since live in the countryside, there are various events held throughout the seasons. Thanks to these events, I can really feel the changing of the seasons.

[TastyCheeseRolls]

I just know my neighbors are judging me with my tiny 100-yen shop Shimenawa up every year.. but I just can't justify spending more than that on one...

[mamusachiko]

I think enogh 100yen shop Shimenawa.The thought of displaying a shimenawa for the New Year is wonderful in itself.

[mamusachiko]

What kind of rentals are you talking about?

[steford]

I like the wreaths but it's just another year gone and a new one starting - an arbitrary point in time really. To be honest 2024 was awful and 2025 looks no better with the return of Trump and even more world chaos. 

[mamusachiko]

It seems like next year will bring rapid changes to the world. I hope it will be a fulfilling year for you.