New year’s decolation for modern era
@kazumi Hirai
The New Year's mood is about to end even in Japan though, that means the Kagami-biraki[sharing the two-layerd mochi,the image above is happening. So here are the stories and tips from our good friend, floral stylist Kazumi Hirai, about New Year's decorations that you can incorporate even if you live outside of Japan for the near future. 2022 was too quick to blink to me and many of you. Not too early for you to learn these, I hope.
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Layers of round rice cakes= Kagami Mochi
Mochi (rice cake) has long been considered a source of good fortune and a sacred food in which the spirit of rice resides. It is prepared for the New Year as a substitute for Toshigami-sama（the gods of the year）, in the form of Do-Kagami 銅鏡 （ round bronze mirror） in which also has been believed that one of the Three Sacred Treasures of Japan. That why this types of mochi is named “Kagami Mochi“
The two large and small tiers represent the moon and the sun, yin and yang, and the overlapping of good fortune and virtue.
There is a pine tree, one of most sacred trees that is also called "the tree that waits for the gods”. Based on this legend, I placed the leaves of the Daewoo pine tree (you can make it with pine leaves you have around) between the layerd mochi.
The New Year’s custom called “Otoshidama” that Japanese children receive meney from their family and relatives is well prepared in Pochi-bukuro[little envelops for especially money].
The reason why the little envelope next to mochi placed is because of the origin of the Otoshidama culture, which came from to share the pieces of rice cake after opening the Kagami-mochi.
It is also believed that the new god of the year is inside the Kagami-mochi. That's why when you divide the rice cakes on January 11th, it is described "opening" instead of "cutting".
Other arrangements include "year of rice" attached to Japanese paper to wish for a good harvest, and "Hikage no kazura（Club moss）" to wish for ”longevity” since the plant is considered "living fossil" that has retained its 400-million-year-old structure, on a bamboo basket made by the bamboo artist,Toru Hatsuda.
Buddha's hand is a fruit that brings good luck. The word "bush can" is said to be a combination of "Tachibana" (citrus) and "Kichi" (good luck) in Japanese.
Nanten (Nandeena) is known for its ability to turn difficulties into blessings.
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I would like to cherish more and more the Japanese culture of incorporating these plants as lucky charms on holidays/special occasions.
It's a true pleasure for me to try not only the traditional way of decorating them but also to try to make them fit into our own modern lifestyles.
＊Kazumi Hirai Official website
お正月ムードがそろそろ終わる頃ですが、1月11日頃に行われることが多い鏡開きの由来を始め、海外に暮らしていても取り入れられそうな正月しつらいのお話をフラワースタイリスト、平井かずみさん に伺いました。
伝統を知りつつ、現代の暮らし、自分らしさにちょうどいいしつらい。来年、またはこれからくる季節行事の参考にもどうぞ。
「餅は昔から福の源とされ、稲の霊が宿った神聖な食べ物。神様が宿る丸い鏡（銅鏡）に見立てて、歳神様の依代として正月に備えています。
丸い餅を重ねるのは、大小二段で月と太陽、陰と陽を表し、福と徳の重なりを表しているからです。
私はそこに”神を待つ木”とも言い伝えられている神聖な木の松、中でも大王松の葉を挟みました（身近にある松の葉でできますね）。
横にポチ袋を置いたのはお年玉の由来である「鏡開きをした餅をみんなで分けあう」にちなんで。
また、新しい歳神さまはこの鏡餅の中にお入りになられているとのこと。だから、お正月の句点となる1月11日（地域によって差異あり）に分けるときは、”切る”のではなく、鏡を”開く”と称されているのです。
他のしつらいは、豊穣を願う「稲穂」を和紙に取り付けたものや、竹工芸作家・初田徹さんの竹かごに長寿を願う「ヒカゲノカズラ」を絡めてみたり。
「ブッシュカン」は縁起物の果実です。柑橘（カンキツ）の〝橘〟と〝吉〟をかけているのだそう。
「ナンテン」[nandeena]の意は言わずと知れた〝難を転じて福となす〟。
ハレの日にこうした植物達を縁起物として取り入れる日本の文化をますます大切にしていきたいです。そして、伝統的な取り入れ方はもちろん、自分の暮らしにちょうど良い飾り方に工夫してみることも、私にとっては楽しみです。
フラワースタイリスト 平井かずみ