Kadomatsu

Monchhichis celebrate New Year

At this page I want to collect and show different japanese traditions
relating the time of the New Year:

2016 - Year of the ape
Shishimai
Takoage
Kadomatsu

2016 - Year of the ape

Monchhichis celebrate the new year.
2016 is the year of the ape.

Shishimai

New Year Lion Dance

Adapted from China, the Lion dance is often performed around the New Year by one or two lions
accompanied by bamboo flutes and drums. The Japanese call the lion dance shishi-mai—獅子舞—or shiahi-odori—獅踊り.
Lion dance in Japan is a practice of Shinto.
It is performed as a prayer for household safety and a good harvest.
The lion dances around the New Year to push away evil spirits and bring on good luck.
There are regional variations; one or two people wearing the lion costume, and one or two lions dancing.
At the end of the dance, the lion "bites" the heads of some watchers, to bring luck.
Japanese lions dance at least twice a year—once in January, the official calendar New Year and
again during Sakura—Cherry Blossom—Season.
The coming of sakura marks the beginning of fiscal and academic years,
plus it signals other flowers to come alive for warm weather.

Here you can watch the Japanese Lion Dance:

Cute video about the reaction of Japanese kids getting bitten by the lion:

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Lion Dance performed in a tiny village, Urayama, located in the mountains of Okuchichibu:

Takoage

Takoage is a common activity throughout Japan in which children fly kites on New Years Day.
Kites vary considerably in shape and decoration according to the locality.
As in the past, kite-flying contests are still held all over Japan at this time.

Japanese kites are made of paper glued on to a thin bamboo frame.
They are pulled with strings and flown high up in the sky
using the force of the wind.

The Monchhichis fly two kites with the design of Ukiyo-e paintings.

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Ukiyo-e is a genre of Japanese woodblock prints (or woodcuts) and
paintings produced between the 17th and the 20th centuries.

The Ukiyo-e paintings feature motifs of landscapes, tales from history, the theatre
and pleasure quarters. It is the main artistic genre of woodblock printing in Japan

The kite shows a painting of Otani Oniji II, dated 1794 from Toshusai Sharaku.
The Kabuki actor Otani Oniji II in the role of Yakko (manservant) Edobe.

The kite shows a painting which is named “Kanagawa oki nami ura”
(The big wave in front of Kanagawa)
dated ca. 1830 from Katsushika Hokusai

Now the Monchhichi girls and boys change the kite holders,
because everyone should have the possibility to fly a kite at New Year :o)

Look, how high our kites can fly!

Cherry loves to fly a kite. It is so exciting!!

Here you can see a video about japanese kite flying at New Year:

Sources about Takoage:

                        Takoage
            Traditional Japanese activities on New Year's Day
                                            Wikipedia Ukiyo-e

Kadomatsu

Kadomatsu decoration

The New Years decoration called "Kadomatsu" is placed after Christmas until January 7 (or January 15 during the Edo period)
and are considered temporary housing (shintai) for “kami” (spirits).
Designs for kadomatsu vary depending on region but are typically made of pine, bamboo, and
sometimes ume tree sprigs which represent longevity,
prosperity and steadfastness, respectively.
The fundamental function of the New Year ceremonies is to honor
and receive the toshigami (spirits of ancestors), who will then bring a bountiful harvest for farmers and
bestow the ancestors' blessing on everyone.
After January 15 (or in many instances the 19th) the kadomatsu
is burned to appease the kami or toshigami and release them.

Source :Wikipedia

Kadomatsu Construction and placement

            The central portion of the kadomatsu is formed from three large bamboo shoots. Although plastic kadomatsu are available.
            Similar to several traditions of ikebana (Japanese flower arrangement),
            the shoots are set at different heights and represent heaven, humanity
             and earth with heaven being the highest and earth being the lowest.
            Some kadomatsu place the humanity and earth shoots at the same height.
                    After binding all the elements of the kadomatsu, it is bound with a straw mat and newly woven straw rope.
              Kadomatsu are placed in pairs on either side of the gate,
              representing male and female.

Source :Wikipedia

photos by Heike Andrea Grote.
You are not allowed to copy or publish them.
Thank you.