Questions about Shodo, Japanese Calligraphy: What’s Written on the New Year Decoration?

As we prepare to welcome the New Year, you might notice beautiful wreaths hanging on Japanese doorways. These are called Shimekazari, and today, I’d like to share the meaning behind the one I created for my home.

In the center, I brushed the words “謹賀新年 (Kinga Shinnen)” in calligraphy. This is a formal New Year’s greeting used in letters and scrolls. It translates to: “I respectfully offer my joy for the New Year.”

While the base of the decoration was pre-made, I personally wrote the greeting and pressed my newly carved Hanko (seal) to give it a personal touch.

The Meaning Behind the Decorations Each element of the Shimekazari carries a special wish:

• The Rice Straw Wreath: Like the sacred ropes (Shimenawa) seen at shrines, this marks the entrance as a “sacred space” to welcome the deities of the New Year.
• The Folding Fan: Its widening shape represents “Suehirogari,” symbolizing prosperity and a flourishing future.
• The Crane: A symbol of longevity, as it was believed cranes live for a thousand years.
• Mizuhiki (Decorative Cords): These knots symbolize the strengthening of bonds between people.
• The Zigzag Paper: These represent the paper streamers used by Shinto priests during purification rituals to ward off impurities.

A Personal Connection

Last month, my entire family—eight of us in total, including my parents, sister’s family, and my own—gathered at a shrine to celebrate my 3-year-old niece’s Shichi-Go-San (a rite of passage for children). During the prayer, the priest waved a wooden wand with these zigzag papers over our heads to purify us.

While the ones at the shrine are pure white, the paper on my New Year decoration is adorned with gold and red to suit the festive season.

Year-End Greetings

As we approach the end of the year, I would like to express my deepest gratitude for your continued patronage and support. It has been a wonderful year, and I am so grateful for the connections we have made through the art of calligraphy.

I hope you have a wonderful holiday season filled with laughter and joy alongside your family and friends. Wishing you a peaceful year-end and a very Happy New Year!