Japan is a country of ancient traditions and complex history. While many countries are trying to abandon their customs, the Land of the Rising Sun honors ancient holidays, and from year to year watches the sakura blossom.
The calendar of Japanese holidays consists of fifteen official dates. During the period of sukujitsu, which means "holiday", the Japanese most often relax. However, the official holiday calendar is diluted with many more events.
As you know, Japan consists of dozens of prefectures. Each of them has its own traditional holidays. But there are still holidays in Japan, which are celebrated throughout the country.
Sakura blossom
The sakura blossom festival in Japan is one of the oldest and most revered. The celebration date is different each year. The official day of the beginning of flowering of trees is the appearance of the first flower on sakura in the Yasukuni Buddhist temple, located in Tokyo. On this day, meteorological services broadcast a message throughout the country that flowering has begun.
However, the sakura festival in Japan is not an official event. Weekends and the like have not been defined for this period, but this does not stop the Japanese and tourists themselves from stopping and admiring the beautiful trees.
New Year
O-shogatsu - this is the name of the New Year in Japan. On New Year's holidays, it is customary to decorate houses with willow and bamboo branches.
For more than a millennium, the onset of the New Year has been marked by one hundred and eight bells in Buddhist temples. Each of them symbolizes the harmful habits of mankind, driven away by sacred sounds.
After the final blow, almost all Japanese leave their homes and go to the nearest temples to pray and make a wish.
Adulthood day
National holidays of Japan include the celebration of the coming of age. On February 12, the authorities of the prefectures throw parties for those who are only twenty years old.
On the eve of the holiday, everyone who has reached the age of majority in the last year receives a special invitation card. However, those who evade tax on accommodation will not be invited to the celebration.
These Japanese holidays became an official triumph only in 1948. Prior to this, young people were congratulated in a narrow family circle or in churches.
Setsubun
The third of February begins with a polyphonic cry: “They are wah-ah-soto! Fuku waaaa uti! ”, Which calls upon evil spirits to leave the house and calls on happiness.
Holidays in ancient Japan have an interesting history, and Setsubun is no exception. Buddhism is the belief that every object and thing has a spiritual embodiment. So in Setsubun in all houses they expel evil spirits, or Mame-maki.
In addition to apartments and houses, evil spirits are also banished from temples. This event attracts many spectators. At the end of the ceremony, people dressed as devils run out of the temple, symbolizing purification.
State Establishment Day
National holidays of Japan in February include the Foundation Day. In 1967, the eleventh of February became an official holiday.
Jimma holiday was introduced not for the Japanese, but for world leaders. By this, the government decided to show that the power in Japan is in the hands of the Emperor. However, for the people of the country it does not matter what political significance this day has. Most Japanese are patriots, so Jimma is important to them. The celebration is held in the family circle, with friends and for winter sports.
Girls holiday
Hina Matsuri, also known as the girls' holiday in Japan, is included in the country's national holidays. The first month of spring in the Land of the Rising Sun is purely female. In addition to March 8, peach blossoms and Puppet Day are celebrated. But only girls' holiday became a national day.
The first mention of this day dates back to the eighth century and the Heian era. On March 3, all the girls are dressed in traditional robes - kimono. They visit friends' houses, congratulate other girls and receive gifts themselves.
Day of spring equinox
On official holidays in Japan, March 20th is also included. The vernal equinox, or Higan, is important to all Japanese people. This holiday marks the beginning. In anticipation of this, the inhabitants of Japan carefully clean the houses, tidy up the home altars and commemorate the deceased. Translated from Japanese, "Higan" is the world where the dead have gone.
The dishes on this day do not contain meat products. Ritual dishes are strictly vegetarian - a tribute to the fact that according to Buddhism you can’t eat the meat of the slain.
The tradition of honoring the memory of the departed is one of the oldest in Japan.
Showa Day
April 29th is the birthday of Emperor Hirohito, who ruled the country in the last century. Over time, he was awarded the title of Sow. But the Japanese, who honor their history, decided not to forget an important figure for the country and perpetuated the memory of it, creating a national holiday.
However, April is not only a celebration for the birth of Emperor Hirohito. This month, Kyoto hosts open door days and the residence of the current Emperor. Many people in Japan come to admire the grandeur of ancient architecture.
Constitution day
Beginning in 1948, the third of May is an official holiday when Constitution Day is celebrated.
After the defeat in World War II, the Japanese authorities were forced to change the country and accept the conditions of the winning countries. Thus, in 1947, the sovereignty of the Japanese inhabitants was recognized, the country became parliamentary, and the great Emperor became a “symbol”.
Japanese holidays and traditions often go back to ancient times, but Constitution Day is relatively new; it allowed Japan to begin development after the defeat and become one of the most influential countries in the world.
Green day
Another holiday associated with the legendary Emperor Shoe was Green Day in Japan. On May 4, the Japanese celebrate a "natural" holiday. This event is connected with the love of the former Emperor for green spaces and trees. During Emperor Sow's travels around the country, subjects planted new trees in the villages.
However, for the Japanese themselves - this is one of the holidays, in whose history they do not delve into. So, until 2007, Greenery Day was not celebrated on the fourth of May; the holiday did not have an exact date.
Children's Day
Children's Day, or the so-called Boys' Day in Japan, is celebrated on May 5th. Flags with koi nobori carps are developing throughout the country.
According to an ancient legend, koi carp, living in a deep swampy pond, was able to overcome all obstacles and crossed the Dragon Whirlpool waterfall. After that, he changed: a simple carp became a dragon and ascended into distant heaven.
It is for strength and durability that carp images are used in celebration. So the boy should follow the example of the fish and turn into a real man.
Mothers Day
Traditional holidays in Japan include Mother's Day. On May 10th, every Japanese family congratulates their mothers. Although in recent years this holiday has become only a way to sell more gifts for dear mothers.
A week before the holiday in Japan, so-called gifts for mothers are put up for sale: aprons, bags, dresses, wallets, cosmetics, perfumes, etc. Advertising on brands that provide discounts and gifts is broadcast on television.
But, regardless of this, all Japanese revere mothers. They believe that it is mothers who are the center of every family and society as a whole.
Tanabata
The Tanabat Festival (Seven Evenings) has a history of more than a thousand years. The celebration begins on the seventh of July. The country is decorated with bamboo branches specially prepared for the celebration.
According to legend, the king of heaven Tenko had a daughter, Orihime. She spun clothes of extraordinary beauty. Her products were so beautiful that her father forced her daughter to work every day. But due to constant work, the girl could not meet anyone and fall in love. Tenko, wanting to make her daughter happier, introduced her to the shepherd Hikoboshi.
Young people fell in love at first sight and soon got married. They spent a lot of time on each other, and therefore, soon the cows scattered along the banks of the Heavenly River, and Orihime stopped spinning.
Tenko became angry and decided to punish them. He divided them on opposite sides of the sky. But Orihime begged her father to have mercy and let her see her husband. Once a year, on the seventh day of the seventh month, when Altair and Vega intersect, Orihime and Hikoboshi can see each other.
Obon
From the thirteenth to the fifteenth of August, a holiday is held throughout Japan during which they honor the memory of the dead. The three- day lantern festival obliges the Japanese to visit the graves of the deceased family members.
With the onset of darkness, people release paper lanterns symbolizing the souls of the dead. According to Buddhism, lanterns will help souls find their way home.
Although Obon is not an official holiday, almost all offices and companies are closed for this period. Each Japanese tries to visit his home and remember the memory of the departed family members.
Sea day
Surrounded by seas and oceans on all sides, Japan celebrates a national holiday on July 20th: Sea Day.
In the nineties of the last century, the inhabitants of the Land of the Rising Sun began to realize the real value of the water surface off the coast of Japan. They began to actively advocate introducing Sea Day into the list of official holidays. The result was achieved pretty soon. For the first time, Sea Day was celebrated in nineteen ninety-six.
Senior Respect Day
Since 1947, the twenty-first of September has become the Day of Honoring the Elderly. The idea to nominate it as a national holiday was proposed by Maso Kadovaki, who was responsible for Hyogo Prefecture. Initially, a small part of Japan joined the celebrations, but since 1950 this day has become increasingly popular.
Until 2007, Seniors' Day was celebrated on February 15th.
Autumnal equinox
And again, Higan. The autumn holiday of the equinox is celebrated on September twenty-third. The dishes are again vegetarian: the Buddhist faith forbids eating the meat of dead creatures.
In the Buddhist faith, Higan, both spring and autumn, carries an ancient meaning. Regardless of the times and situation in the country, the Japanese always honor the memory of the departed.
Sake day
Holidays in Japan in October begin on the first of October - Sake Day.
Sake is Japan's national alcoholic beverage. The process of its preparation is long and difficult, even taking into account the automation of the process. Rice sake is made, the resulting drink contains from thirteen to sixteen percent of alcohol.
Sake is traditionally poured into teko, clay cups with a volume of forty milliliters. The bottle has a volume of one go, which is equivalent to 180 milliliters.
When using sake, the Japanese try to stick to the rules. Drinking lightly and with a smile. Do not rush and maintain an individual rhythm. Know your norm and have a bite.
Culture day
On November 3, the Japanese celebrate National Culture Day. It stretches for a week, during this period, students have almost no classes. Senior students tell campus guests about their achievements and life at the university.
But the celebration takes place not only in educational institutions. Girls and women dressed in traditional Japanese outfits stroll through cities and historically important parts of the country.
Emperor's Birthday
Emperors of Japan, acting and deceased, significant figures. People honor their rulers even after 1947, when they became only a symbol of the nation.
On December 23, Emperor Akihito, who has already overcome the eighty-year milestone, is celebrated throughout Japan. Emperor Akihito is the son of Emperor Shoe. He was crowned on November 12, 1990. Every year, more than ten thousand people gather at the Emperor’s palace in Kyoto and greet him, wishing him continued prosperity.
It is worth noting that in Japan for several centuries the Emperor’s Birthday has become a national holiday.
An interesting and mysterious eastern country Japan. Holidays and traditions, gods and emperors. Japan is a place where every item is endowed with a soul, where the goddesses Amaterasu and Tsukuemi rule in the sky. The country of Buddhism and ancient customs.
It may be difficult for European countries to understand the Japanese worldview, but it is impossible not to agree that their history and holidays are breathtaking.