also: とんど
burning of New Year's decorations; dondo-yaki
A traditional event, usually on January 15th, where New Year's gate decorations (shimekazari, kadomatsu) are burned to send off the toshigami and pray for health and good harvest. Regional names include とんど, どんど焼き, and 左義長.
Every year on January 15th, the dondo burning is held at the local shrine.
It is said that children won't catch a cold if they eat mochi roasted at the dondo fire.
Most common kana spelling for this seasonal event.
Alternate reading and spelling, also used regionally.
The origin is uncertain; possibly from the sound of burning or from a dialectal word for 'fire'. The alternate reading とんど may reflect regional variation.