毎年、１２月３０日は絵馬通りのしめ縄張りの日で、今朝８時すぎに表に出ると近所の皆さんがしめ縄を括り付ける青竹を家の両側に建ててかけていました。
青竹が配給される場所に行くと私の最年少６歳の友達のS君が向こうから竹を抱えて元気に持ってきてくれました。それを２本受け取って、持ち帰り立てかける作業からスタート。踏み台に乗って固定し、次は縄に御幣（ごへい）と呼ばれる神社の白い紙と藁（わら）を交互に挟み込んで、縄を軒下に張りました。何でもないこの作業も今年はやっとの思いでした。しめ縄張りを終えると一気に新年を迎える引き締まった気分になるのが不思議です。
頼んでおいた鏡餅がお昼すぎに届き、床の間に飾り、三幅対の掛け軸と友人のHさんが活けてくれた若松で、こちらもお正月の準備が整いました。
Every year, December 30th is the day of decorating Shimenawa (sacred Shinto rope) along the street in my neighborhood. When I went outside after eight o'clock this morning, some people had already started working to place bamboo trees around which a rope will be tied.
When I went to the area to get bamboo trees, six year-old S was there and he brought two bamboos to me one by one. S is living in my neighborhood and he help me tie them to the eaves while I stood on a step. Then I inserted white Shinto paper called Gohei and straw into the rope. After that, I pulled the rope and tied it to the bamboo trees. It is not difficult work, but it was hard for me as I am having trouble with my hip joint. Anyhow, I finished it and felt very refreshed and ready to welcome the new year.
Local rice cake shop owner delivered two round rice-cake offerings to the deity. so I decorated specially for the alcove in the guest room. I already hung three beautiful scrolls and my friend, H, put fresh pine branches in a special way. It seems we are ready to welcome the new year.
