Kodomatsu

Kadomatsu are a pair of pine decorations which are placed in front of the gates of houses and buildings from 1-7 January.

They usually consist of three bamboo poles of different lengths which are cut diagonally. Pine tree branches and sprays of plum trees are fastened to the bamboo poles with a new straw rope.

These three plants are considered auspicious. Pine is a symbol of longevity and it’s believed gods descend to it.

This is one of a pair already outside a department store. The lost glove provides a good indicator of scale.