



[Crane: Traditional New Year's Decoration in Kitakyushu]
Many households prepare decorations for the New Year as part of the New Year's tradition. These decorations are placed at the entrance of the house to welcome the “New Year's god” and to show that the place is clean and pure. Shime-kazari decorations come in a variety of shapes and sizes throughout Japan, and each region has its own unique characteristics.
In Kitakyushu City, the most common type of shime-kazari is the “crane,” which is round in shape and resembles a bird spreading its wings. The crane, which is said to bring long life, is used as a good-luck charm, but there are various theories as to why the crane-shaped decorations became popular. The crane-shaped shime-kazari spread only in Kitakyushu and Chikuho areas in Fukuoka Prefecture, but it may have suited the character of the area, which favors bold and gorgeous decorations. Even in Kitakyushu City, in areas near the sea, such as Moji Ward, “ebi jime” decorations shaped like shrimp, as seen in Kansai and Shikoku, are favored in some regions.
After Christmas, the area around Tanga Market in Kokurakita-ku, the kitchen of Kitakyushu, is in a New Year's mood. The market is filled with colorful fish cakes and osechi (New Year's dishes), as well as large yellowtail and tiger puffer fish, and many people gather to buy food for the New Year. Near the market, stalls will be set up for a few days from around the 27th, and stores selling decorations for the New Year will open for business one after another. The main items sold at all the stalls are shime-kazari decorations of cranes, some of which are huge and cannot be found at supermarkets or home centers, and many citizens buy large ones for their offices and homes.
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