Dondo-yaki Day (Dondoyaki no Hi)

What Is Dondo-yaki Day?

January 14th is known as "Dondo-yaki no Hi." It was not established by any particular organization; the name reflects the fact that many areas hold Dondo-yaki, a Koshogatsu fire festival, on the night of the 14th or the morning of the 15th (the date varies by region). Dondo-yaki is a traditional Japanese ritual in which New Year decorations — pine gate decorations (kadomatsu), straw ropes (shimenawa), and the first calligraphy of the year (kakizome) — are gathered together and ceremonially burned in a bonfire. It is usually held the night before Koshogatsu (the "Little New Year," January 15th), and symbolizes sending the New Year deity (Toshigami) back to the heavens on the rising flames.

The Origins of Dondo-yaki

The origins of Dondo-yaki are said to trace back to a Heian-era (794–1185) court ritual called "Sagicho." At Koshogatsu, bundles of green bamboo were set up in the eastern garden of the Seiryoden hall of the imperial palace, with fans, poem strips, and the emperor's New Year calligraphy tied to them, and onmyoji (court diviners) burned them while chanting. Because three gitcho (mallets used in a New Year ball game) were tied together, it was called "sagicho" (three gitcho). The custom gradually spread among ordinary people and evolved into the form it takes today.

Where Does the Name Come From?

There are several theories about the origin of the name "Dondo-yaki." One theory holds it comes from the "dondon" sound of the crackling fire; another says it derives from a chant of "toto, ya toto" sung as the decorations were burned. The fact that the name varies so much from region to region is itself one of the festival's distinctive features.

Different Names Across Japan

Dondo-yaki is celebrated all across Japan, but it goes by a remarkable variety of names depending on the region — a reflection of Japan's rich local diversity.

• Sagicho — Kansai and Hokuriku regions
• Donto-yaki — parts of Tohoku and Kanto
• Saito-yaki — parts of Kanagawa and Shizuoka Prefectures
• Onibi-taki ("demon fire burning") — Kyushu region (often on the night of January 6th or morning of the 7th)
• Hongen-gyo — parts of Kyushu

Customs Surrounding Dondo-yaki

Dondo-yaki is more than just a way of disposing of New Year decorations — it carries a variety of wishes and meanings. It is also an important community event where local people gather and pray together for good health and freedom from illness in the year ahead.

What Gets Burned

Items burned typically include kadomatsu (pine decorations), shimenawa (sacred straw ropes), hamaya (ceremonial arrows), omamori (protective amulets), omikuji (fortune slips), and kakizome (New Year calligraphy). According to tradition, the higher the flames rise when burning your kakizome, the better your handwriting will become. However, plastic items and the plastic wrapping from kagami mochi (New Year rice cakes) should never be burned, as they release harmful substances.

Roasting and Eating Mochi

According to local belief, eating mochi (rice cakes) roasted over the Dondo-yaki bonfire brings good health for the entire year. In many regions, red-and-white mochi balls called "mayudama" (silkworm-cocoon-shaped mochi) are skewered on tree branches and roasted over the fire — a treat children especially look forward to.

Taking Home the Ashes

There is also a custom of taking home some of the ashes from the Dondo-yaki fire and scattering them around one's house as a charm against evil. Ashes purified by the sacred flames are believed to have the power to ward off misfortune.

Dondo-yaki Today

In cities, where open spaces for lighting fires are limited, opportunities to experience Dondo-yaki firsthand have decreased. Even so, many shrines and local community associations continue to keep the tradition alive by hosting their own Dondo-yaki events. If you're unsure how to dispose of your New Year decorations, you can often bring them to a nearby shrine.

The Spirit Behind Dondo-yaki

Dondo-yaki is a ritual filled with gratitude toward the New Year deity and hopes for a safe year ahead. Gazing into the flames, renewing one's resolutions for the new year, and connecting with neighbors — this day offers a wonderful chance to experience the warmth of Japanese traditional culture firsthand.