JAPAN | Sunday, 29 August 2010 | Views [329]
In the lead up to New Year (お正月 - Oshōgatsu), homes, businesses and public areas are decrated with 'shimenawa' - special New Year decorations traditionally made in different combinations of pine needles, rice husks, mikans (a type of fruit) and mochi (ground rice) cakes. On the 15th of January, communities small hold Dondoyaki festivals in which the decorations are ritually burnt in hope a year free of death, illness and adversity.
