Traditional Kyoto's New Year decorations, Shimekazari

KYOTO, Japan - Jan. 2, 2014 - PRLog -- After Christmas is over, we celebrate New Year holiday which is　considered the most important holiday during which various traditional　decorations are displayed.　One of the typical New Year ornaments is "Shimekazari" which is well　known and very popular as New Year's decoration in Kyoto.　This particular ornament is placed on the porch of the entrance door.　Shimekazari is made of sacred rope of rice straw called "Shimenawa" and　placed to show the location where Shimekazari is put is the sacred area.　People display this ornament in the hope and belief that Shimekazari　keeps the bad spirits away from their home.　

If you visit Kyoto at the beginning of January, you can see this　Shimekazari.

Japanese "Shimekazari "are hung over (or on) the front door of the house to mark the temporary dwelling place of the Toshigami(God of Year) and to prevent malevolent spirits from entering the house.

It usually decorates it in the house. But just like Kadomatsu, "Shimekazari" too is seen just as a door decoration during New Year Holidays.

It is made of twisted rice plant straw rope. The origin starts from "Kojiki" that is the oldest history book in Japan. It starts from putting of "Sun Goddess" the rope on the rock, and the purification of the misfortune. The occupying adornment becomes a holy place.

The "Yokozuna" grand champion sumo wrestler of the sumo wrestling that is the national game and The Shinto shrine and Japan is permitted to tighten.

It safely prays for health of the new year at the New Year Festival of Japan. The origin was that faced the god who was called "Toshi-Gami"(God of The Year) in the home. Japan is a country of Polytheism as well as Greek myths and the Romanic age. It is said that the god is staying in various objects and events so that it is called, "Yao-Yorozu Gods"(Eight million Gods).But It is not the god stays in everything unlike English Animism .

God in Japan "Kami" has the appearance and the character just like the human. There is a custom of worshiping the main creation and the natural product of all things. The god in Japan brings man the favor. However, might curse, it is feared. The New Year Festival of Japan merges from the prayer as manners and daily life.

Asia including Japan is a rice farm culture because it is populous because of the high temperature and humidity. "Toshi-Gami" in the prayer of Japan is worshiped as a god who prays for the harvest of a rich rice plant.

The new year of Japan is said "Oshougatsu". It prays for Well-being of the family and prosperity for one year by a new attitude.

http://youtu.be/b9t9ITXWUHg




It is Japanese Style "Shimekazari" (Twisted straw rope with fern leaves.) This item is occupying decoration that enjoys manners of Japan at the New Year. It is generally hung on doors during the New Year holidays and served as a charm against evil spirits

The feature is as follows.