Kadomatsu

A Happy New Year!

I am spending New years holidays lazily now, but I was very very busy to make `Kadomatsu` (New year`s decorative pine branches) the end of year.

I made small type like this picture. 　But that was a troublesome job.

December was very busy season to prune trees of our customer`s garden.

I worked hard without holiday for a month.

In evening after work,I started to make Kadomatsu.

At first, I cleaned rice straw and bind them a handful size.

And then, I cut banboo like this picture and bind them three by three.

I worked late up to 2am or 3am having cup noodle and some beer.

Next, I prepare cans for base. It was chlliy in the shed in midnight.

And then, I erected bamboos in the each cans with sand.

Push sand with stick to hold banboo upright.

Next, prepare binded straw .

roll straw around can like this. and bind them with straw rope.

and then plait straw and cut them clean like this. It was getting looks good.

And then decorate with pine twigs , yellow plum and nandina.

The red of nandina looks beatiful.

I made 10 and delivered them to our customer. They were really pleased to get my Kadomatsu.

I worked up to 4am last 3 night and very sleepy and tired, but I was happy to see that.

This is one of them on the side of our customer`s door. They have a good wood stand,and Kadomatsu looks really nice.

and now I can take enough sleep and rest.

Have a happy New Year`s holidays!