Japanese New Year's decorations made from pine, bamboo, and auspicious rope are called kadomatsu.
Kadomatsu are traditional arrangements placed in pairs at entrances during the New Year period. Their name combines words associated with “gate” and “pine,” and the display is intended to welcome toshigami, a deity or spirit connected with the New Year and the year's harvest. Pine represents endurance and longevity, while bamboo is associated with upright growth and resilience.
The arrangements may also include plum branches, which bloom early and symbolize perseverance or renewal. Styles differ by region, household, shrine, and business, but the paired placement at a doorway is a defining feature. They are usually removed after the celebration, with the exact timing varying by local custom.
Kadomatsu should not be confused with shimenawa, sacred ropes used to mark purified or spiritually significant spaces. Both may appear in New Year settings, yet they are different objects. Kadomatsu are specifically gate decorations that frame the entrance and signal the household's readiness to receive the new year.