Kadomatsu

 The Kodomatsu, an ornamet made of bamboo, pine and plum that is placed at the entrance of houses or buildings. It is used to welcome the god of the year or toshigami, so that the god of the year establishes his temporary home in that house, office or building during these days.

Although this decoration is dedicated to the New year, it is mainly placed during the Chrismas season in advance, since the main Christmas decorations in Jpan are Christmas trees and Santa Claus; Kodomatsu is more traditional in this country.

The main part of the Kadomatsu is made up of three bamboo branches of different heights cut diagonally that represent heaven, huamanity and earth, heaven being the highest and earth the lowest. Then pine and plum branchesare added and everything is tied with a straw rope.