"Shimekazari"

"Shimekazari," a sacred rope of rice-straw

Hi. Today's theme is a New Year decoration, "Shimekazari," continuing from "Kadomatsu" yesterday😃

"Shimekazari" is a small rope made of rice straws, decorated with auspicious objects. "Daidai" or a Japanese orange, is the symbol of continuing for generations. "Urajiro," a kind of fern with the white back side, means "innocence" and "longevity." And "shide," the zigzag-shaped white paper strip, is the emblem of "sacred" and "clean."

We place "shimekazari" on the porch or the entrance door, as high as possible, above the eye position, as the mark of the temporary dwelling place of "toshigami-sama." It also has the role to keep evil spirits away.