At the workshop of Chinjuen, a plant shop in Osaka Prefecture, people are busy shipping kadomatsu, decorations placed at entrances and gates for the New Year. Kadomatsu are said to be a symbol to welcome deities, to wish for the safety and prosperity of the family. Kadomatsu are displayed in many places to celebrate the New Year.

Note: Kadomatsu decorations are made from materials such as pine trees and bamboo, and are displayed outside homes and office buildings.

Japanese original

Easy Japanese news is taken from the Mainichi Shogakusei Shimbun, a newspaper for children. This is perfect material for anyone studying Japanese who has learned hiragana and katakana. We encourage beginners to read the article in English followed by Japanese, or vice versa, to test their comprehension.

A fresh set will be published every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 4 p.m., Japan time. Click/tap here for past installments.

Intermediate learners who do not need English assistance can directly access the Mainichi Shogakusei Shimbun site here. Furigana (hiragana) is added to all kanji in the text.