門 松(かどまつ)

かどまつ

noun

New Year's pine decoration

1. New Year's pine decoration; kadomatsu

A traditional Japanese New Year decoration made of pine branches and bamboo, placed in pairs at the entrance of homes and businesses to welcome the god of the new year.

玄関(げんかん)に門松(かどまつ)を飾(かざ)った。

We put up kadomatsu at the entrance.

正月(しょうがつ)になると、商店街(しょうてんがい)には門松(かどまつ)が並(なら)ぶ。

When New Year's comes, kadomatsu line the shopping streets.

門松(かどまつ)は松(まつ)の内(うち)が過(す)ぎたら片付(かたづ)けるのが一般的(いっぱんてき)だ。

It is customary to take down the kadomatsu after the pine decoration period ends.

Compound of 門(かど) (gate/entrance) + 松(まつ) (pine). Pine symbolizes longevity and vitality in Japanese culture.

門松(かどまつ) are set up in pairs at entrances before New Year's Day and removed after 松(まつ)の内(うち) (the first seven days of the year in most of Japan, or fifteen days in the Kansai region). They serve as a temporary dwelling for 年神(としがみ) (the god of the new year).

Common collocations

門松(かどまつ)を飾(かざ)る (to put up kadomatsu)
門松(かどまつ)を立(た)てる (to set up kadomatsu)
門松(かどまつ)を片付(かたづ)ける (to take down kadomatsu)

Related Words

Related: しめ飾(かざ)り (New Year's rope decoration)

general

Added 2026.3.2 15:00 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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