Translation guide
A Japanese New Year tradition where decorative gate ornaments (shimekazari, kadomatsu) are burned in a ceremonial fire, often at a shrine, to send off the New Year deities and pray for good health.
Referring to the traditional practice of burning New Year decorations, typically around January 15th (or the weekend after), known as Dondoyaki, Sagichō, or Tondo.
The most common nationwide term for the festival where New Year decorations are burned. Often held at shrines or community spaces.
近所の神社でどんど焼きがあった。
There was a Dondoyaki at the local shrine.
A traditional term for the same event, often used in historical or regional contexts. Less common in everyday speech.
左義長は小正月の火祭りです。
Sagichō is a fire festival of the Little New Year.
A regional term (especially in western Japan) for the same custom. May be used in local announcements.
とんどでお飾りを燃やしました。
We burned the decorations at the Tondo.
Describing the action of burning the specific New Year gate decorations (shimekazari, kadomatsu) as part of the ritual.
A general phrase meaning 'to burn the New Year decorations'. 'お飾り' refers to shimekazari and other decorations.
毎年、神社でお飾りを燃やします。
Every year, we burn the New Year decorations at the shrine.
Specifically refers to burning kadomatsu (gate pine decorations). '焚く' is a more literary verb for burning.
門松を焚いて年神様をお送りする。
We burn the kadomatsu to send off the New Year deity.
Referring to the New Year gate decorations as objects that are burned in the ritual.
Sacred straw rope decorations hung on gates or entrances. Often burned in the Dondoyaki.
しめ飾りをどんど焼きに持って行った。
I took the shimekazari to the Dondoyaki.
Gate pine decorations placed in pairs. Also burned in the ritual.
The burning of New Year decorations is not just disposal; it is a sacred ritual to send off the Toshigami (New Year deity) and pray for health and prosperity. The event is often called 'Dondoyaki' and includes roasting mochi on the fire for good luck.
Avoid directly translating 'burning of New Year's gate decorations' as '新年の門飾りを燃やすこと'. While grammatically correct, it sounds like a description rather than the name of the custom. Use 'どんど焼き' or the appropriate local term.
門松は小正月に燃やします。
Kadomatsu are burned during the Little New Year.