Figure 1.--This Japanese family has their portrait taken on New Year. Such portraits in traditional garments is a popular New Year tradition. |
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There are many traditional Japanese holidays. We have mentioned some of them in the Japanese section, but have not yet created pages on them. Several include honoring relatives. Children's day is a holiday of special interest to HBC. Interestingly several holidays like Chikdren's day relate to age. Almost all are uniquely Japanese. We hope to create separate pages as HBC develops. One is the same as Western holidays, such as New Years. Other Western holidays such as Christmas are not really celebrated, but are used by merchants in advertising. One Japanese holiday, Labor Day is essentially the same as the Western holiday, but observed on different days. Other holidays (Constitution Day and Green Day) are of recent origins, created since Japan's defeat in World war II. The Emperor's birthday is still celebrated, but not as important as it once was. Unlike the holidays in many countries, religion is not a major factor in holiday celebrations.
Japanese holidays were until 2000 celebrated on the peecise day. The Diet changed several holidays so that they can now be used to create 3-day weekends.
As in many Asian countries, New Yea is a very important holiday in Japan, celebrated over 3 days. Business generally close on these days. The celebration actually begins Ne Yers Eve (December 31). Some events continue to January 5).
I do not know a great deal as to how New Year is celebrated in Japan. I do note many families dressing up in traditional costumes for a family portrait.
Youths reacging legal marurity is a major event in Japan. The legal age of becoming adults is 20.
Kenkoku kinen no hi ot Founding of the Nation Day is Japan's national holiday. I'm not sure just what is involved here. This may relate to the Menji Restoration or to Japan's ancient foundation.
The arrival of Spring or the Vernal Equinox is an important celebration. Of course this is especially important in an agricultural society. Japan is now a major industrial powerhouse, but the holiday is a tradition from the agricultural past.
Midori no hi or Green Day is a modern holiday. Green Day focuses on environmental issues. Of course on a small, heavily populated island with heavy industry, environmental issues are very important. The Japanese are concerned about many of the same issues as Western environmentalists. There are, however, differences. The Japanese do not have the same attitude toward marine mammals as are prevalent in the West. This is curious as there is a special Marine Day holiday in Japan. Green Day begins what the Japanese refer to as Golden Week. This is the period from April 29-May 5 in which three unrelated holidays are celebrated. Some companies close during the entire period to provide a long holiday.
Kenpo Kinenbi or Constitution Day is another of Japan's modern holidays. Japan's Constitution dates from the American occupation following World War II. The Constitution was imposed on Japan by General MacArthur who was appointed to oversee the Allied occupation. Many aspects of modern Japanese society (democracy, free speech, press fredom, women's rights, non-political military, and other elements) were introduced by MacArthur.
Kodomo no hi or Children's Day is an important amd popular holiday in Japan. There is a Children's Day in America, but is virtually ignored. In Japan it is actually celebrated. I am not sure, but before World War II the holiday may have been called Tango-no sekku meaning boy or son day or festival. The festival was apparently conceived to promote the martial spirit in boys and to according to a press agency to "bring helath, success, and prosperity to males throughout the land." Elabortely costumed dolls, often handed down from previous generations were displayed in Japanese homes for the whole month. They represented popular Japanese male heros. Friends and relations might visit families with sons. They would be served sweet riceccakes wrapped in oak leaves. The symbol of this holiday is the carp. Families often hang paper or cloth carps head up from poles outside the home. This signifies that the son or sons of the family will be just as healthy as the spirited carp attempting to swim up a water fall.
The holiday in modern Japan seems to have been made into a general children's day, perhaps relecting the constitution changes aftervthe War emancipating women. The emphasis on martial spirit also seems to have beem discontinued in demilitarized Japan. As far as we can tell, the carp remains.
We note a 1931 photograph of a family boy's day celebration. An inscription on the back of this photo dates it as being taken on June 5, Showa 6 (1931). The holiday is noted for flying carp banners. The inscription, written in neat fountain pen, also gives the names of the people in the picture, and titles it "Mino-chan no Oseroku" ("Mino's Boys Day Display"). In the display are small koinobori, Shinto offerings, and several warrior dolls (on the floor). The warrior dolls reflect the marial spirit of the holiday. After World War II the character of this holiday was changed. It was made Children's Day and the fous was no longer on the military.
Umi no Hi or Marine Day is celebrated in Japan.
The dropping of the Atomic Bombs ending World War II (1945) are not celebrated as a national holidays. There are, however, important ceremonies held in Hiroshima (August 6) and Nagasaki (August 9). Given the horror of these events and the number of peoplw killed and wounded this is certainly understandable. The ceremonies involve school children. The theme is that war is terrible and includes peace themes. This is of course a sea change from the the Samuri tradition and the military culture that dominated Japan until 1945. The ceremoies commonly depict Japan as a victim of World War II. Rarely said is that Japan began the War by attacking Chima (1931 and 1937) and then America (1941). Even more importantly, the cermonies honor those who died as a result of the two bombs. Unmentioned are the much larger numbers of people killed by the Japanese during the brutal occupation of other Asian and Pacific nations. Many of these countries (especially China and Korea) are disturbed by this continuing attitude in Japan.
Obon/O-bon is the Festival of the Dead. It is celebrated August 13-15 in most of Japan. Some Japanese, especially in the East celebrate the holiday in July. Obon is a Buddhist native to Japan. It is a family holidayb to honor the departed spirits of family ncestors. This traditional Buddhist festival im modern Japan has evolved into a popular tome to hold family reunions. Commonly city dwealers visit their parents and now often grand parents living in rural areas. Often the grand parents jave passed away, but family graves are located in rural home towns. The family visits and cleans their ancestors' graves. There is traditionally a dance festival. Obon has been clebrated in Japan for more than 500 years. Dates are a bit complicated in Japan. Obon is held July 13-15 which is August 13-15 on the old lunar lunar calendar still used in rural areas. The observance has shifted in recent years to August 13-15. This is during the summer holiday when the children are on summer vacation. This makes in easier to organize a family vacation. Obon is similar in some ways to the Mexican Día de los Muertos which also involves family reunions and visit to family grave sites.
Keiro no hi or Respect for the Aged Day is celebrated in Japan.
Shubun no hi or the Fall Equinox is celebrated in Japan.
Taiiku no hi or Physical Fitness Day promotes healthy life styles. Many Japanse companies sponsor field trips with a fitness theme on this day.
Bunka no hi or Culture Day is celebrated in Japan.
Children commonly dress up in traditional costumes for Shichigosan. This is the celebration when children turn celebrates the 7-5-3 (sichi-go-san) festival for children who have just or will soon turn 3, 5 and 7 years old. The official day for the festival is November 15. The girls dress in brilliantly colored kimono and the boys in elaborate pleated skirts known as hakama. The family then go to the local Shinto shrine. The 7-5-3 ages are what the adults see as critical ages in a child's development. Parents thus take their children that age to the Shinto shries to offer thanks and for future blessings. They may also go to Buddist temples, depending on the family's orientation. Young children in Japan were regarded as gifts of God until age 7 at which time they become normal human beings. Tis probably played into the age choices in Shichigosan. For the girl, age 3 marked the age that her hair will be put up in an adult-like manner for the first time. When she reaches age 7, she is given her first obi, the silk sash to be worn with kimono. For the boys, 5-year old is the age they are given their first hakama. The children also receive a bag of candy to celebrate the holiday. There are many family snapshots as well as formal studio portraits taken for the event.
Kinro Kansha no hi or Labor Day is celebrated in Japan.
Tenno Tanjobi or the Emperor's Birthday is celebrated on the birthday of the reining emperor. The Emperor's birthday is still celebrated, but not as important as it once was. There are Shinto religious elements involved in the celebration as the Emperor is associated with the birth of the nation.
Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Site: Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Japanese pages:Tenno Tanjobi--Emperor's Birthday (December 23)
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Created: 7:18 AM 8/11/2005
Last updated: 8:06 AM 10/11/2007