Is it too late to discuss New Year’s?

Nah.

A few years ago, when I was living in Seattle, I frequented a Japanese import store and purchased these small but lovely decorations. I assumed the 2 round objects represented wreaths, but the other taller item, I had no idea. I suspected it had something to do with the winter holidays.

But Rudy, my Chinese friend in Japan, enlightened me! The bamboo rods are often combined with foliage from pine trees, for in ancient times, the Japanese believed that god dwelled in evergreens, see below.

Above is my kadomatsu and below are my two wreaths with it.

[Today’s Japanese word “Kadomatsu”]

[Today’s Japanese word “Kadomatsu”]

Rudy sent me the following photos of Kadomatsu in his Japanese city.

Now you know. Live and learn! Happy New Year’s!