
What is ‘Kadomatsu’ ?
Why do Japanese display it ?
I wrote this article to clear your question about ‘Kadomatsu’ as traditional item in Japan.
I would like to explain about the topic with mainly two parts.
- Basic knowledge of Kadomatsu in Japan
- Deep Diving with answering questions
- Reason to display
- Meaning of the material
- History
- Location to see
In first part, you can get basic information about ‘Kadomatsu’ in Japan.
And next, I would like to introduce more details, with style of answering questions. You can get information with cherry pick style, in stead of reading long article.
I hope you will have proper information about ‘Kadomatsu’ in Japan, after reading this page.
What is Kadomatsu

Kadomatsu is a item to celebrate new year, in Japan. When we, Japanese, see this item, feeling that new year is coming.
Kadomatsu is made of Pipe Tree and Bamboo. And adding other materials, like plum tree, Nandina fruits, flowering kales, etc to put color on Kadomatsu.
‘Kado’ means ‘Gate’, and ‘Matsu’ does ‘Pipe Tree’. Kadomatsu is mainly displayed at gate of the building.
- Item to celebrate new year
- Made of Pipe Tree and Bamboo
- Displayed in new year days
- Displayed at gate of the building
Deep Diving into Kadomatsu in Japan
I would like to introduce more information about Kadomatsu in Japan, in this paragraph with Q & A style, so that you can access information easily.
Please kindly open items what you want to know.

I hope you can clear your question in this part.
It’s said that a god, ‘Toshigami’ visit houses to bring happiness in new year days. ‘Kadomatsu’ is displayed at gate to welcome ‘Toshigami god’ into the building.
Reference : Hibiyakadan webpage
It’s said that Kadomatsu has a power to give energy to people
- Pipe tree is symbol of vitality
- Bamboo is symbol of prosperity
Reference : Satoyamasupport webpage
It’s said that it is good to place Kadomatsu in 13th.Dec – 28th.Dec.
Removal date is different in each area of Japan. In earlier case, Kadomatsu is removed in night of 6th.Jan. And in later case, it is removed in 15th.Jan.
Sauce : Hana Cupid webpage
The tradition to display pine tree is coming from China around 9th or 10th century. Then, Japanese added bamboo around 13th century.
- The custom is originally in China
- Come to Japan in 9-10th century
- Added bamboo in 13th century
- We can still see Kadomatsu in 21st century
Reference : Kadomatsu Japan webpage

Possible location of seeing Kadomatsu
- Department stores
- Shopping malls
- Entrance of office building
- Large mansion residential house
- Shrines, temples
Author’s research
Postscript
That’s all today. How was the content today ?
I Hope this article help you to clear your question about Kadomatsu in Japan.

I hope you have clear understanding of Kadomatsu !
Thank you for your reading !
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