dondoyaki

Dondoyaki is a Japanese New Year tradition celebrated in various regions, particularly in Gunma Prefecture. The custom involves creating a large bonfire, often in an open field or rice paddy, where people bring their old New Year's decorations, such as kadomatsu (pine and bamboo arrangements) and writing implements like brushes and pencils. These items are then burned in the dondoyaki fire.

The act of burning the old decorations symbolizes the purification and letting go of the past year, making way for the new. It is believed that the smoke from the dondoyaki carries prayers and good wishes to the gods, ensuring a prosperous and healthy year ahead. Food is often cooked and shared around the fire, with mochi (rice cakes) being a common treat.

As the decorations burn, people may also write down their wishes on pieces of paper and toss them into the flames, hoping they will be granted. The height of the flames is sometimes interpreted as an omen for the coming year, with taller flames suggesting good fortune. Dondoyaki is a communal event that brings people together to celebrate the start of the new year and to wish for good luck and blessings. The tradition varies slightly from place to place, but the core elements of fire, purification, and communal celebration remain consistent.