Niwaki Chiltern Workshops: Shimekazari Japanese New Year Wreath-Making
Craft a beautiful seasonal decoration with Mariko Kinoshita

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13.00 - 14.00 Sunday 1st December 2024

Location: Niwaki Chiltern Street, 38 Chiltern Street, London W1U 7QL

Join Niwaki and Japanese flower designer Mariko Kinoshita of Matsurika Flowers to create your own shimekazari Japanese New Year wreath.

In Japan, the most important winter festive celebration is 正月/shogatsu, or New Year, celebrated on 1 January. Preparations begin in December with the display of shimekazari wreaths to bring good fortune for the coming year.

The wreaths are highly symbolic, designed to appeal to the New Year’s Kami (gods or holy powers) who will, it is hoped, bring prosperity and good luck, while at the same time warding off evil spirits and bad luck. Surely that’s a sentiment we can all get behind?

The workshops will last 60 minutes and all tools and materials will be provided. The base of a shimekazari is made from shimenawa – a sacred rice straw rope – and we’re delighted to say you’ll be working with the real thing, sourced from Shimane in Japan.

Mariko will guide you through the construction and decoration while explaining the meaning of the symbolic charms and adornments. It’s promised to be a fun and educational hour, and at the end you will leave with an attractive and, hopefully, lucky object to keep or gift as you see fit.