Shimekazari

New Year brings lots of these beautiful wreaths, adorning doors and entrances to homes, shops and shrines. Called ‘shimekazari" they are traditional Shinto New Year decorations.
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The ring is made with a sacred straw rope called 'shimenawa' decorated with pine, a bitter orange, ferns and paper ritual strips with lucky associations. They are believed to invite the gods of good fortune into the house and ward off evil spirits!