Japanese Folk Holidays

1. New Year's Day is celebrated on January 1, but it was established in 1948 as a national holiday. According to traditional custom, the "big bad day" (New Year's Eve) for cleaning. In front of the door, pine, bamboo and plum ("Songmen") (now mostly replaced by paintings) are placed for good luck. New Year's Eve meal, the family ate New Year's Eve noodles (buckwheat noodles), after dinner, while watching television programs broadcast specifically for the New Year, while waiting for the New Year's bell, known as the "New Year's Eve". On New Year's Day, people eat "mizutaki" (rice cake soup) for breakfast, drink tsukudani, and eat "ojjiri" (a variety of delicious and festive dishes). New Year's Day is usually a five to seven day vacation. Adults' Day - The second Monday of January every year was designated as a national holiday in 1948. According to Japanese law, a person comes of age at the age of 20. On this day, all young people who have reached the age of 20 go to a coming-of-age ceremony in full costume. This day marks the beginning of a new life and the fulfillment of rights and obligations under the law. Founding Day - February 11, 660 B.C. According to Japanese mythology, on February 11, 660 B.C., Emperor Shinmu founded the nation of Japan after unifying the country and became the first emperor of Japan. In the olden days (before the end of World War II), it was called "Era Festival", which was abolished in 1945 and was restored in 1966 and renamed to its current name.

2. Founding Day - February 11 In December 1966, Sato's cabinet proposed February 11 as the anniversary of the founding of the nation, and it was implemented the following year. The reason for this is that on February 11, 660 B.C., the first emperor founded the country and assumed the throne.

3, cherry blossom festival - March 15, March cherry blossoms bloom, the Japanese people believe that the cherry blossom has elegant, strong, clean and simple and independent spirit. They take the cherry blossom as a symbol of hard work, bravery and wisdom. Generally Japanese people choose this time of year to travel and enjoy cherry blossoms, but it is also a wonderful time to praise nature and relax. However, the flowering period of the same plant can not be really the same day, there is always successive; and the flowering period of cherry blossoms is very short, so in March this cherry blossom viewing month selected 15 (mid-March) for the Cherry Blossom Festival (this time most of the cherry blossoms are also in bloom, early cherry blossom is not yet all thankful). Cherry blossoms are the national flower of Japan. "If you want to ask for the soul of Yamato, look at the mountain cherry blossoms under the rising sun." Cherry blossoms have been in Japan for more than a thousand years, and the Japanese believe that life is short and living should be as brilliant as cherry blossoms. Moreover, cherry blossoms are warm, pure and noble, and after the harsh winter, it is the first to bring the news of spring. Therefore, the Japanese government has designated March 15 to April 15 every year as the "Cherry Blossom Festival". At this time, people bring their relatives, invite friends, in the cherry trees, sitting on the ground, while viewing cherry blossoms, while drinking, is really a great pleasure in life.

4, Daughter's Day - March 3 to pray for the girl's healthy growth and happiness

5, Vernal Equinox - March 20, formerly known as the "Spring Imperial Spirit Festival", is the Emperor's Spring Festival of Ancestors. It is also a day to praise nature and love living things.

6. Midori Festival -- April 29 Birthday of the former Showa Emperor

7. Constitution Memorial Day -- May 3 May 3, 1947 The Constitution of the State of Japan was implemented

8. Boys' Day --May 5 is a national holiday (formerly known as the "Dragon Boat Festival") to wish boys strong growth, and was designated as a national holiday in 1948 and is now celebrated as a boy's holiday. This day where there are boys in the family are hanging on the roof of the cloth large carp (called "carp banner"), the door set calamus leaves, the family ate cake dumplings.

9, summer festival - August 15 in this day the government will hold a festival parade, the government and its civil society will hold a lot of performances, people put on a beautiful kimono, shopping, shopping, participate in recreational activities (that is, what China calls the garden); around the store on this day will also be decorated to carry out a variety of special activities. special events. This original custom of temple fairs originally came from China, but later spread to Japan, and combined with Japan's local culture, there are various kinds of festivals today, gradually forming Japan's own national cultural characteristics.

10, Bon - held on the fifteenth day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar. Bon is the largest traditional Japanese folk festival, also known as "Soul Sacrifice", "Lantern Festival", "Buddhist All Souls Society", etc. Originally, it was a day of memorial service to ancestors, praying for the blessing of meditation, but now it is a festival of family reunion and village joy. During Obon, Japanese companies take 7 to 15 days off from work, and people rush back to their hometowns for reunions. Those who live in small towns and rural areas also dance the bon dance in a single summer kimono.

11. Tsukimi - August 15 in the lunar calendar In the Oriental world, it is customary to enjoy the moon, and in Japan, on August 15, items such as croquettes and seasonal fruits are prepared and placed by the window to offer to the moon, which is then viewed at the same time. The moon looks especially beautiful when it hangs high in the clear autumn sky, and while it was originally intended as a form of prayer for a good harvest for the agriculturally oriented Japanese, it is now purely a form of viewing the moon.

12. Respect for the Elderly Day - September 15 was designated as a national holiday in 1966 to show respect for the elderly who contribute to society and to wish them a long and healthy life. Celebrations are held across the country on this day and souvenirs are presented to the elderly.

13, Autumnal Equinox - September 23 was formerly known as the "Autumn Imperial Spirit Festival", is the Emperor's autumn ancestor worship day. Folkloric people also pay tribute to their ancestors on this day to honor the memory of their forefathers.

14, Sports Day - October 10, 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games opening day, 1966 was designated as a national holiday. The Fall Games are usually held on this day as well.

15. Culture Festival - November 3, 1937, was designated as a national holiday. Formerly known as Meiji Matsuri, it commemorates the birthday of Emperor Meiji. Now it is a day to award the "Order of Culture" to those who have made outstanding contributions to science and culture. It is also called "Chrysanthemum Day" because of the chrysanthemum design engraved on the medal. On this day, schools at all levels are closed and meaningful activities are organized.

16Children's Day - November 15 is celebrated especially for 7 and 3 year old girls and 5 year old boys.

17. Labor Appreciation Day - November 23rd Established in 1948, it was formerly known as "Shinsengumi". Formerly known as the "Shinsengumi Festival," it is a day when the Emperor tastes new rice. It is also a day to respect labor and celebrate production.

18. Birthday of the Emperor - December 23 Emperor Akihito was born on December 23, 1933, the anniversary of the founding of the nation. The anniversary of the founding of the country: February 11, the first day of the first year of the ancient Emperor Shinmu according to the solar calendar.

19. Christmas - December 25th In Japan, not only Christians, many people exchange Christmas gifts with their family members or boyfriends and girlfriends on Christmas Eve and enjoy a sumptuous Christmas dinner together. A cake decorated in the Christmas style is usually prepared for the occasion. In order to stimulate consumer desire, department stores and companies start to promote the so-called Christmas events before Christmas. Around the second half of November, department stores and shopping centers are decorated beautifully and a series of Christmas sales are launched.