[Sales for 2025 have ended]

This item was available only for pre-orders accepted in October 2025,
and sales have now been completed.
There are no plans for restocking or regular sales,
either in our physical store or through our online shop.

We look forward to your orders again next year (2026).

This piece is part of our zodiac series, created in connection with the Year of the Horse, 2026.

Named “U,” this Shimekazari is inspired by the shape of a horseshoe
— a traditional symbol of good luck and protection often associated with horses.

With its strong body and swift legs, the horse runs gracefully across the earth.

This Shimekazari takes inspiration from the horseshoe — an essential item that protects a horse’s hooves.

Since ancient times, the U-shaped horseshoe has been regarded in the West
as a charm that catches good fortune and wards off evil.

In some parts of Europe, people hang a horseshoe above their doorways with the open end facing upward, believing it will “hold in” good luck and keep it from escaping.

This piece combines the U-shape of a horseshoe with the gentle form of a traditional Japanese Shimekazari.

A finely woven horse’s face rests within the straw ring,
along with a paper tag bearing the character for “horse” written in reverse.

In Japan, this mirrored form is believed to turn bad luck around and bring good fortune.

The reversed “horse” character is also seen in calligraphy and celebratory gifts, symbolizing good fortune.

Paired with the dignified horse’s face,
this Shimekazari embodies strength, happiness, and prosperity for the year ahead.

A Shimekazari is a traditional New Year’s ornament made of rice straw, displayed indoors or outdoors to welcome the Toshigami deity at the start of the year.

The Shimekazari introduced here is made locally in southern Nagano, using rice straw harvested in the area.

The makers are involved in every step, from cultivating and harvesting the rice straw to crafting each Shimekazari by hand.

The rice straw is harvested early, before the grains ripen, during the hot summer months of July and August.

This Shimekazari is made with the same high-quality rice straw used for constructing sumo wrestling rings.The fresh green straw is carefully twisted and braided by hand.

Hang it on the outside or inside of your entrance door for the New Year.

It will bring a sense of purity to the space and invite happiness and vitality into your home.

Indoors, you can place it anywhere you like—the living room, dining area, or bedroom.
It’s said to invite good fortune and bring a gentle, protective presence to your home.

For business owners, it can also be displayed at the entrance of restaurants, galleries,
or shops as a charm for prosperity.

Even after the New Year season, it’s lovely to keep on display and enjoy throughout the year.

To keep your Shimekazari in good condition,
please open the package promptly upon arrival and do not leave it stored inside the cardboard box.

If you are not going to display it right away, store it indoors in a cool place away from direct sunlight.

After use, it may be taken to a Shinto shrine for disposal, or treated as burnable household waste.
If disposing as waste, please be sure to follow your local municipality’s guidelines.

Having this ornament nearby feels as if it draws good fortune in and holds it close.
Like the horse itself, it becomes a quiet reminder to stay strong and keep moving forward.

May the coming year bring you many moments of happiness.

＊＊Please read the following carefully and place your reservation only after understanding and agreeing＊＊

Shimekazari reserved through this page will be shipped in order from mid-November.

Please note that, except in the case of defective items, Shimekazari cannot be returned or exchanged for any reason.

A “defective item” refers to one that is clearly damaged at the time of delivery.
We take the utmost care in inspection before shipping,
but should you receive a defective item, please contact us within 3 days of delivery.

We will replace defective items whenever possible,
but depending on materials and the makers’ circumstances, a replacement may not be available.

Also, please understand that we cannot accept requests for return or exchange if contacted 4 days or more after delivery.