For example, the New Year, first full moon following winter solstice, is celebrated by cleaning to enact the renewal of sacred space, shrines and the home. A pine branch is placed at the gate of the home and a rope of rice straw is hung over the entrance. A special temporary altar is set up in the home that may signify the welcoming of the rice kami, Inari who is sometimes represented as a fox and other times as a bearded man. Shrine paper is commonly replaced at this time of year. Girls' day, March 3, is a doll festival.
Girls celebrate by arranging an elaborate display of dolls .
In ancient times paper dolls werethrown into streams to carry away impurities. The Japanese world view is nature-based and concerned with the beauty of studied simplicity and harmony with nature. These ideas are still expressed in every aspect of daily life, despite the many changes brought about by the westernization of Japanese culture. Besides the Shinto tradition, Confucian, Taoist principles and more significantly Buddhist influences have give shape to Japanese culture. Recent events indicate that Western religious ideas have also had an impact upon religious life in Japan.