The Shimekazari New Year Decorations

Shimekazari are one type of New Year Decoration you can see at most homes from after Christmas. And right now they are being sold in shops, shopping centres and malls around Japan. 

The Shimekazari is made of shimenawa, the sacred ropes you see at shrines. Traditionally, they were made from freshly harvested Japanese rice straw, but in recent years many of the ones you see in the shop are actually made in China. The reason for the rice straw is it symbolizes the hope for a good harvest and an abundance of rice in the New Year. 

It is believed that shimekazari prohibit evil spirits from entering your house, similar to a shimenawa at a shrine. They say that it provides the blessing of health and the safety of your family. It is usually hung outside of an entrance , rom around December 26th until the 7th of January. It is brought to a shrine for ritual purification at the end of the season. Some people do reuse the same one year after year. But it's considered better luck to get a new one each year. 

Do you hang 'shimekazari'?