That wreath looks a little dried out and brown?  That would be your reminder to take down those Christmas lights and decoration around the house.  If you have not already chopped up your Christmas tree and placed them in the green bin for green-cycle, please do so to eliminate the chance of fire from a dried-out Christmas tree.  Here at Sweet Blossoms Hawaii, we are accepting your holiday and Christmas wreath for wreath-cycle. We separate the wreath apart for proper disposal or recycle.  You can do the same by follow our blog from last year.  Wish you all a healthy 2010. 

 See video of Christmas tree fire at USFA

http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/all_citizens/home_fire_prev/holiday-seasonal/treefire.shtm

We can make green katomatsu that are 4 feet or taller – Perfect for business offices and restaurants to welcome the new year.  I think we all need a good start for 2010. (price at $160, Plain) Call to reserve your extra tall Katomatsu.

It’s almost new year and we have kadomatsu at the shop. Pre-orders are welcome.  Call us at 808-732-7668 for availability.  Happy Holidays.

Small – Plain: $24 / arranged: $40
Large – Plain: $29 / arranged: $47
X-Large – Plain: $40 / arranged: $55

Sunday, Dec. 27 New Year’s Oshogatsu Workshops
The Japanese Cultural Center and TEMARI Center for Asian & Pacific Arts is holding a workshop on kadomatsu (bamboo and pine display) Cost: $50 Cultural Center members/$60 non-members (students 18 years & up). Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai’I 2454 S. Beretania Street
http://www.hnlnow.com/events/index.php?com=detail&eID=40580&year=2009&month=12

Paper katomatsu
http://okadadesign.blogspot.com/2009/03/another-high-school-workshop.html

It’s New Year soon; locals are getting kadomatsu for themselves and share them with friends, families and neighbors. Locals who live in the mainland (US) are having them delivered to their parents, old neighbors and friends, wishing them a happy New Year.

The Kadomatsu is packed with wonderful meanings that we have concluded that it is the perfect arrangement for the New Year.  I have updated last years post on the symbolism of kadomatsu.  

Green Bamboo / Take – A symbol of endurance and strength. The nodes or the joints indicate hardship that one experiences in life…” more
Pine / Mastu – A symbol of immortality. It remains green throughout the year. The city of Matsumoto translates to source of pine. more
Plum blossoms / Ume – A symbol of endurance and hope. The plum tree is the first to bloom after a bitter, cold winter to indicate the coming of spring. “ more
White Chrysanthemum (mum) A symbol of perfection and simplicity, the orderly unfolding of its petals represent perfection. It is the symbol of wealth, fidelity and truth.
 Kokutan – “The Kokutan is originated from parts of Asia. In Japan, this plant is called Sharinbai, meaning spokes of the wheel, referring to the arrangement of the leaves on the stems. This plant is also found in the warmer parts of Korea and Japan. Hawaii Okinawan name is Kokutan…..full text
Nanten - “A highly respected, slow growing tree. It is much sought after for a pillar for tokonoma, an alcove in Japanese houses. The symbolism is to alter or deter any harm or difficulties to a favorable circumstance….full text
Straw Rope – that tie everything together.

Narcissus, the Chinese calls it the “Water Fairy Flower,” a symbol of properity and good fortune. Don’t mistaken the bulb as onion. Out come it are sweet fragrant blossoms of yellow bowl (corona) resting on 6 white patals (perianth). Happy Chinese New Year!

We have Narcissus in the store. Please call 808-732-7668 for availability.

$15.99 per plant (in tofu container)
$21.99 with basic container
$28.99 with gift container

Chinese New Year is early this year. On January 26, 2009, we will be into the year of the Ox. To welcome the Lunar New Year, Locals like to decorate their homes with narcissus, qunice, peach or plum blossom as well as pussy willow. Many believe that the number of blossoms on New Year day will equate to how prosperous one will be for the coming year. Check out this brochure by Asian Art Museum, San Francisco for more information on flower and fruit of the New Year.

Chinatown Chinese New Year Celebration Schedule
Zhangzhou, Fujian of China is most famous on the production of Narcissus bulbs.

We started off the New Year this morning at KGMB Sunrise to demonstrate the arrangement of Kadomatsu and explain its New Year significant. We get to watch the show from behind the scene and see Grace, Steve, Taizo and Malika at work. We even get to meet and see Fanny Pak perform. It was awesome. Happy New Year, Everyone.

Kadomatsu Brings Good Luck to the New Year
http://kgmb9.com/main/content/view/12866/108/

Fanny Pak, So Real Cru Perform at the Blaisdell
http://kgmb9.com/main/content/view/12868/108/

Locals are not just getting kadomatsu for themselves but also as New Year gifts for their good friends and neighbors. Talk about instant karma for the New Year.

^^ Medium size Kadomatsu pictured above

People who are living in the mainland (US) are also getting the idea of wishing their parents, old neigbors or friends a Happy New Year with these kadomatsu arrangement. Yes, we can deliver them the same as a flower arrangement.**

^^ Large Kadomatsu pictured above

** Call in for availability at 808-732-7668. More photo post
Common miss-spelling of Kadomatsu are Katomatsu, Katamatsu, Katomatsu, Kadomstu.

Old midweek article
New Year’s Ohana Festival at Moiliili Field on Jan 11, 2009

Kadomatsu is a symbol of strength, flexibility, constancy, vitality, longevity, purity, sweetness and new beginnings. Follow the Japanese tradition, locals placed them at entries to greet ancestral spirit as well as a gesture of invitation and prayer for the New Year. How can such simple arrangement of green bamboo, pine and plum blossoms tied together with straw rope can symbolizes so many things. Each element in the arrangement lend its meaning to the full piece. Check out our last years post on the symbolism of kadomatsu. Add to it could also be white chrysanthemum, kokutan and nanten. Happy New Year, everyone.

We will have three sizes of the Katamatsu for sale at the store.

Small $13.99, SOLD OUT Perfect for your office desk and office gift
Medium *basic $23.99 , arranged $27.99 and up
Large *basic $38.99 , arranged $52.99 and up (pictured above) SOLD OUT
*Basic – with pine and plum flowers only. **Minimum purchase for delivery is $45.

Call us to confirm on inventory at 808-732-7668

Care for Kadomatsu
Kadomatsu anatomy
More photos
Human Flower Project
http://humanflowerproject.com/index.php/weblog/comments/kadomatsu_welcoming_japans_new_year/
Article on local kadomastu
http://archives.starbulletin.com/2000/12/01/features/garden.html
There is also Kadomatsu Fundraiser sale by Local Troop 201 Boy Scouts
http://www.troop201hi.org/index.html

Traditionally, kadomatsu arrangements are displayed from January 1 to January 7 and burned on January 15.  Some people keep their dry bamboo arrangements throught the year.  Here are a few tips on keeping the kadomatsu nice and neat.

Set Kadomatsu in a dish or container filled with water.
Keep water level below the rope.
Keep Kadomatsu in a cool spot and stay away from direct heat when not in use.
Pull foliage as they die.
Bamboo dry nicely and can be level cut to reuse as nail or pen holder. Otherwise, dispose along with your green waste.  Check www.envhonolulu.org for your green waste pick-up schedule.