Nanakusa & Kezurikake

Nanakusa ("The Festival of the Seven Herbs") is a custom passed down since ancient times, where it is said that if you eat nanakusa-gayu (a rice porridge containing seven auspicious vegetables) on January 7th, it will ward off bad luck and all manner of illness. Kezurikake is a decoration originating in the modern era, hung on the front door to ward off evil spirits and bring in good luck on the evening of the 14th day of the New Year after removing sacred decorative ropes.