こんにちは。

ジェニのピカピカ日本語へようこそ。

There are only two days left in 2021.

Is the coming of a new year a good thing for you?

I hope 2022 will be a year that is not swamped by Covid-19.

In Japan, this is the time of year when we clean up, purify our homes, and prepare to welcome the new year.

We decorate the entrance of our houses with "Kadomatsu" and the front door with "Shime-zakuri".

"Kadomatsu" is said to be a landmark for the gods of the year to visit and dwell in houses when they come down to earth. Therefore, "kadomatsu" should be placed at the entrance of the house. A "kadomatsu" is a symbol that your house is ready to welcome the gods.

A shime-Kazari is a rope with lucky charms attached to it, and it signifies that the house with the shime-Kazari is ready to welcome the god of the year and is a sacred place. The presence of a shime-Kazari makes the place safe and pure, and the god of the year can come down with peace of mind.

And there are some traditional food from new year eve to Oshogatu, new year holiday.

年越し蕎麦(Yoshikoshi Soba, soba noodles eaten on New Year's Eve)

お節料理( Osechi Ryori, food served during the New Year's Holidays)

重箱（Jyubako, multi-tiered food box)

お雑煮(Ozouni,soup containing rice cakes and vegetables, new year dish)

餅（Mocji, rice cake)

じゃあまたね。