Kadomatsu

The end of year and the start of New Year is a very important time for Japanese. When they get closer to the end of year, people come to bonenkai (end year party that everything bad from last year will be forgotten by drinking sake until they get drunk). When New Year comes, people hold shinenkai (New Year party). They chant their hope for this year, pray for their health and do toast. About one month before New Year, people make kadomatsu (door accessory that is made from pine) on the left and right their house door. Kadomatsu is a point to welcome Kami (God) that is believed God will bring happiness. Because of the business of modern people, nowadays kadomatsu only sets in the last week of December. In the village, koshogatsu (little new year) is held until 15 January and sometimes until February.