An especially appropriate picture for this season of great festivity is called “the pine at the gate” _(kado matsu)._ It commemorates the custom on the first day of the year of planting pine trees at the entrance to Japanese public buildings and private residences. From the rope _(shimenawa)_ (_Plate LV_, 4) are suspended strips of white paper _(gohei)_ typifying purity of the soul; these hang in groups of three, five and seven, the odd or lucky number series associated with the positive or male principle (YO) of IN YO. Another appropriate subject for this early season of the year is rice cakes _(mochi)_ in the shapes of the sun and full moon (_Plate LV_, 5). In the picture the fruit called _dai dai_ is placed on the top of the rice cakes, the word DAI meaning ages, hence associated with longevity. At the base of the stand is a prawn _(ebi)._ This equally suggests old age because the prawn is bent in two. The leaf of the _yuzuri_ is introduced because it is an auspicious word and means succession. The picture of a battledoor and shuttlecock _(hagoita)_ is also appropriate for New Year as it commemorates the ancient practice of the Japanese indulging in that pastime on that day (_Plate LVI_, 4).
During January a very popular picture for the alcove _(tokonoma)_ is the treasureship, called _taka-rabune_ (_Plate LVI_, 5). The vessel as it sails into port is heavily laden with all of the various tools and utensils typifying great wealth to be found in the capacious bag of Dai Koku, a Japanese god of good luck. These are a ball, a hammer, weights, cloves, silver bronze, and the god’s raincoat and hat. On the evening of the second of January if the painting of a treasureship be put under the pillow and one dreams of either Fujisan, a falcon or an eggplant, the year long he will be fortunate. It will be observed that on the sail of the treasure boat is inscribed the Chinese character for TAKARA, meaning treasure. On the seventh day of January occurs the first of the five holidays, called _go sekku,_ and vegetable subjects are painted. These are called the seven grasses _(hotoke za_ or _nana kusa)_ and consist of parsley, shepherd’s purse, chickweed, saint’s seat, wild turnip and radish. They are susceptible of most artistic treatment and ingenious, original designs are often evolved (_Plate LVII_, 6).