Seasonal displays at my house 

        The New Year
I usually begin making decorations for seeing in the the new year after Christmas. 
Then I and my family welcome TOSI-GAMISAMA(deity of the incoming year) to our home on New Year's day.

 

The decorations for the entrance to the house.

These decorations are put over the gates, the front door or the back door to our house to bring good luck to us and keep evil out. 
 
 
 

The decorations for GENKAN or the main room of the house.

For making New Year's decorations, I use many kinds of traditional materials - pine tree, bamboo, UME(Japanese apricot),  rice straw, nandin, MIZUHIKI (red and white paper string), etc.
The pine tree is a symbol of longevity. Ume and bamboo also symbolize the same. 
Each decoration has own meaning, such as peace, happiness, health, victory, luck, or prosperity.

A New Year's flower arrangement

The display arranged with pine branches, bamboo, UME, nandin and MIZUHIKI for GENKAN(the entrance hall)

A New Year's Tree

A pine tree decorated with customary ornaments for our guest room.

 
 
 
 

New Year's decorations for TOKONOMA or CHIGAIDANA in Japanese- style room (TATAMI-floored room) .

TOKONOMA is a  decorative alcove and holds a central position as a holy place in TATAMI-ROOM. It includes a decorative corner post (TOKOBASIRA) and wooden flooring. 
A hanging scroll is hung on the back wall, and a flower arrangement and often an object of art are placed on the floor of TOKONOMA
CHIGAIDANA means decorative alcove shelves
 

 
 

A flower arrangement and a hanging scroll for TOKONOMA

The arrangement consists of pine banches, SENRYOU(wealth) and chrysanthemums (symbolized pureness).
The scroll is drawn a pine grove.

 

                    HAMAYA


    A decorative arrow supposed to
    ward off evil.

  KAGAMIMOCHI

An offering of rice cake to the deity of the New Year to pray for good harvests in the coming year. 

 

KOUGOU( a container of incense) for TOKONOMA

This is shaped like a chrysanthemum which
is a family crest of Imperial Family.

A flower basket for CHIGAIDANA

TAKO( a kite ) and SISIGASIRA (a head of an imaginary beast or a lion) for CHIGAIDANA

 

 
 
 

A set of lacquered ware for OSECHI RYOURI and TOSO 

OSECHI  RYOURI means the special food served at New Year's with TOSO(medicinal SAKE)
 
These lacquered wares are handed down from my husband's ancestor to us. We think them a great deal  of family treasure.
JUBAKO: lacquered wooden boxes stacked in groups of five. 
( at the left on the photo)
It is customary to serve JUBAKO filled with special seasonal foods for family and guests at New Year.
 SAKAZUKI : lacquered wooden sake cups stacked in group of seven on the holding stand.
(at the center on the photo)
 HEISI : lacquered wooden sake containers on the tray.
(at the right on the photo)

 
 

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