Hawai'i's borrowed customs - the Kadomatsu

One of the fun things about living in Hawai'i, is learning about the cultures of our 'melting pot' community...and how we all borrow the customs from other cultures and celebrate with them.

One of these customs, borrowed from the Japanese, is placing a kadomatsu by our front doors.  Explanation of a kadomatsu from Wikipedia:

A kadomatsu (門松, "gate pine") is a traditional Japanese decoration as yorishiro of the New Year placed in pairs in front of homes to welcome ancestral spirits or kami of the harvest.^[1] They are placed after Christmas until January 7 (or January 15 during the Edo period) and are considered temporary housing (shintai) for kami.

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.^[2] 

"The fundamental function of the New Year ceremonies is to honor and receive the toshigami (deity), 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. The kadomatsu is included in Unicode as U+1F38D 🎍 PINE DECORATION.^[3]

^{I must confess, that my kadomatsu don't always follow exact tradition, but even when doing my own thing, I try to do it with respect for the culture and history behind it.}

^{The bamboo kadomatsu was given to me by a dear friend many years ago...I use it every year, although the tradition is to use green bamboo.  The bamboo pieces are cut at three different heights, and the top sections are cut at a slant...then all three pieces are tied together.} 

^{The arrangement above was by my front door, on the inside of the house during a party, but taken outside and place by the front door on the front lanai afterwards.  The Daruma 'dolls are also another borrowed tradition from the Japanese, and also gifts from friends.}

^{Sometimes I will use the kadomatsu as a dinner table arrangement and then move it to the front lanai afterwards, where it will stay until sometime in January.}

^{Last year's Kadomatsu on our dinner table, and later taken to the front lanai}

^{Happy New Year!}

^{Feliz Año Nuevo!}

^{Hau'oli Makahiki Hou!}