A travel essay about walking around Japan, exploring the rich traditions of shimekazari decorations.
For 20 years, I've been drawn to the rich traditions of shimekazari decorations, which vary from region to region.
These decorations convey the precious feelings of the people who make and display them.
"I'm out of energy and straw, so I think this will be my last year of making them."
In the Reiwa era, where such words are increasingly common,
I take a fresh look at our New Year's celebrations.
[Table of Contents]
Introduction
Places Featured in This Book
The Night Before the Exploration
Encountering Shimekazari / What is Shimekazari Exploration? /
Shimekazari and Toshigami / Explanation of Terms Used in This Book
Chapter 1: Shimekazari Exploration
Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture | Pre-Exploration: Shimekazari in My Memory
Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture | December 29, 2003: "What Do I Want?"
Yamaguchi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture | December 30, 2002: Can't We Just Go With One Line? Ogori's Round Shimekazari
Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture | December 28, 2006: Shimekazari Time Slip in Hida
Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture | December 30, 2006: Otsu's New Year's Decorations, Protected by "Misan"
Iinan Town, Iishiro District, Shimane Prefecture | July 15, 2018: Izumo Taisha Shrine's Large Shimenawa (Sacred Rope) Making Ceremony "Otsuriyawase"
Tojo Town, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture | December 25, 2023: Following the New Year's Decorations of Merchants
Tojo Town, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture | 2008-2023: A Place Everyone Visits
Chapter 2: Farmers' Rice and Straw
Marumori Town, Igu District, Miyagi Prefecture | 2017-2024: The Arakawa Family's "Gate Decorations" and Farm Life
Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture | 2018-2024: Aizuwakamatsu's Two "Kendai"
Chapter 3: Folk Tools of the Future
"Swirling Wisdom: Folk Tools of the Future" "Shimekazari" Exhibition
◎Otoko (Man of the Year)
Kurihara City, Miyagi Prefecture | Akira Nikaido - The Otoko of a Three-Generation Family
Tomata District, Okayama Prefecture | Yoshitaka Mimura - The Otoko of a Long-Distance Family
Machida City, Tokyo | Hideaki Egawa - The "First" Otoko
◎Wreath Decoration
What is a Wreath Decoration? / Poetry on "Wreath Decoration" / Elementary School Lecture on Love and Passion / Looking Back on the Year with Sticky Notes
Postscript
Major Destinations to Date / Author Introduction / Video Information
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