Join a workshop at Pantechnicon with Japanese flower designer Matsurika Flowers to create your own shimekazari or New Year wreath.

In Japan, the key festive celebration is O-Shogatsu, the New Year. Preparations begin in December with the display of shimekazari wreaths to bring good fortune for the coming year. The wreaths include auspicious symbols to welcome the New Year's kami (gods or holy powers) along with prosperity and good luck, while at the same time warding off evil spirits and bad luck. The workshops will last 90 minutes and all materials will be provided for you to create your own wreath to take home. The base of shimekazari is made from shimenawa (a sacred rice straw rope), with ours specially sourced from Shimane in Japan. Matsurika will guide you through making the wreath and decorating it with Japanese symbols of prosperity, good luck charms and adornments.

If you’d prefer to purchase a ready made wreath, visit the Studio at Pantechnicon to choose from a range of shimekazari on display from 22 November.