The bamboo and pine branches placed in front of Japanese houses are called door pines (かどまつ, kadomatu), which are decorations to celebrate the New Year.

Mensong is a custom not only in Kyoto, but all over Japan.

The Origin of Mensong

Mensong is also called としがみ. In the first month of Japan, every household will welcome the lower bound of Mensong, and the signpost of the lower bound of the New Year God is Mensong. At the same time, in order to show respect and gratitude to the God of the Year, there will also be offerings such as wine, mirror cakes, white rice, chestnut, dried persimmon, kelp, dried cuttlefish and prawns.

The Decorative Method of Door Pine

Three green bamboo poles in the middle are surrounded by pine branches, and finally tied with hemp rope. At the end of the year, they stand in front of the house to welcome the arrival of the old god.

The tying method of hemp rope is exquisite. From bottom to top, it is tied in three places, seven times, five times and three times respectively, which stands for "753". In Japan, children should hold a celebration at the age of "seven, five and three" to celebrate their safe growth.