I’m really glad I’ve gotten to experience New Year’s in Japan. They celebrate on January first, while Chinese New Year is on January 23rd I think (it moves around). So I get to do two new years! Japan’s new year’s decorations are very simple and sophisticated- this is one, kagami mochi (an orange stacked on top of two mochi) represents something about continuing generations. I saw a bagel shop that had stacked two bagels instead of two mochi- funny!
The other decorations we’re seeing are three large sticks of bamboo surrounded by pine branches and straw (these are huge and are flanking the doorways of large businesses). More modest places have a single bamboo stalk and a single pine branch tied to the sides of their doorways. There are many objects made of straw, beautifully knotted, such as rings and streamers and elaborate knots. Its all very handcrafted and natural and very reserved. Chinese new year is all red and gold and glittery store-bought junk.
