Suzu Shimekazari

Japanese decorations handmade from braided rice straw and paper streamers. These wreaths are traditionally hung in shrines and over doorways, especially at New Year, to welcome good luck.

The craft is called ‘​​warazaiku’ which refers to the art of weaving from rice straw, with only a few craftsmen still remaining.

This shimekazari is woven with a bell, or suzu, to symbolise warding off malevolence, and rice plants, to invite bountifulness.