正月飾(しょうがつかざ)り

Compound of 正月(しょうがつ) (New Year) + 飾(かざ)り (decoration). A collective term for the various decorations used during the Japanese New Year season.

Types

• 門松(かどまつ): pine decorations placed at gates/entrances
• 鏡餅(かがみもち): stacked rice cakes as an offering
• 注連飾(しめかざ)り: sacred rope decoration for doorways

Common collocations

• 正月飾(しょうがつかざ)りを飾(かざ)る: to put up New Year decorations
• 正月飾(しょうがつかざ)りを外(はず)す: to take down New Year decorations
• 正月飾(しょうがつかざ)りを買(か)う: to buy New Year decorations

Cultural note

Decorations are typically put up by December 28 — setting them up on December 29 (二重苦(にじゅうく), double suffering) or December 31 (一夜飾(いちやかざ)り, one-night decoration) is considered unlucky. They are removed after 松(まつ)の内(うち) (usually January 7) and burned at a shrine ceremony called どんど焼(や)き.