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Created page with " National civic holidays associated with the modern Japanese nation/state were first established in 1873. While those observed from the Meiji period through 1945 mostl..."
National civic holidays associated with the modern Japanese nation/state were first established in [[1873]]. While those observed from the [[Meiji period]] through 1945 mostly celebrated and reinforced an Emperor-centric history and nationalism, the majority of Japanese national holidays today are less blatantly nationalistic, and include such occasions as Ocean/Marine Day, Greenery Day, Respect for the Aged Day, and Health & Sports Day.
The first two national holidays - the birthday of the reigning emperor, and National Foundation Day celebrating the supposed anniversary of the accession to the throne of [[Emperor Jimmu]], the very first Japanese emperor, in 660 BCE - were established in January [[1873]]. Six more holidays were created in November of that year, and two more in June [[1878]].
==Meiji through Wartime National Holidays==
*Jan 3: ''Genshisai'' (元始祭), or "Festival of Origins", commemorated the descent to earth of [[Ninigi-no-mikoto]], grandchild of [[Amaterasu]].
*Jan 5: ''Shinnen enkai'' (新年宴会), or "New Year's Festival."
*Feb 11: ''Kigensetsu'' (紀元節), or "Foundation Day," commemorating the establishment of the Imperial line with the accession to the throne of Emperor Jimmu on Feb 11, 660 BCE.
*March 20-21 (vernal equinox): ''Shunki kôreisai'' (春季皇霊祭), or "Spring Memorial Festival of Imperial Ancestors."
*April 3: ''Jimmu tennôsai'' (神武天皇祭), or "Emperor Jimmu Festival," marking the anniversary of Jimmu's death.
*Sept 20-21 (autumnal equinox): ''Shûki kôreisai'' (秋季皇霊祭), or "Autumn Memorial Festival of Imperial Ancestors."
*Oct 17: ''Kannamesai'' (神嘗祭), or "Offering of the First Fruits Festival," in which offerings of the first harvest of the year were made at [[Ise Shrine]] and at the ''kashikodokoro'' of the [[Tokyo Imperial Palace]]. Originally observed on September 17, it was moved to October in [[1879]]; offerings at the Imperial Palace on this day began in [[1871]], and were previously made only at Ise.
*Nov 3: ''Meijisetsu'' (明治節), "Meiji Festival," established in 1927 in honor of the [[Meiji Emperor]].
*Nov 23: ''Niinamesai'' (新嘗祭), or "Rice Harvest Festival," associated with the regeneration of the emperor's imperial spirit or soul.
*(Date variable): ''Tennôsai'' (天皇祭), a festival dedicated to the previous reigning emperor. Originally honoring [[Emperor Komei|Emperor Kômei]] and celebrated on January 30, this was replaced in [[1912]] by a July 30 festival in honor of Emperor Meiji, and then in 1926 by a December 25 festival in honor of [[Emperor Taisho|Emperor Taishô]].
*(Date variable): ''tenchôsetsu'' (天長節) the birthday of the reigning emperor. Originally celebrated on November 3 during the reign of the Meiji Emperor, since 1989 this has been celebrated on December 23.
==Postwar National Holidays==
*Jan.1 New Years Day
*Jan.12 Coming-of-Age Day
*Feb.11 National Foundation Day - though abolished in 1945, the holiday was re-established in 1966. February 11 also happens to be the anniversary of Gen. MacArthur's approval of the postwar draft Constitution.
*Mar.21 Vernal Equinox
*Apr.29 Showa Day - the birthday of the Shôwa Emperor, also known as Hirohito, known as Greenery Day until 2005.
*May.3 Constitution Day - anniversary of the 1947 promulgation of the postwar Constitution.
*May.4 Greenery Day
*May.5 Children's Day (''[[kodomo no hi]]'') - a traditional festival, adopted as a civic/official national holiday
*Jul.20 Marine Day (''Umi no hi'')
*Sept.21 Respected-for-the-Aged Day (''Keirô no hi'')
*Sept.23 Autumnal Equinox
*Oct.12 Health & Sports Day (''Taiku no hi'')
*Nov.3 Culture Day (''Bunka no hi'')
*Nov.23 Labor Thanksgiving Day
*Dec.23 Emperor's Birthday
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==References==
*"[http://www.japanrailpass.net/en/useful.html Useful tips for traveling in Japan]," Japan Rail Pass official website, Japan Rail (JR). Accessed 13 March 2015.
*Takashi Fujitani, ''Splendid Monarchy'', University of California Press (1998), 12-13.
[[Category:Culture]]
[[Category:Meiji Period]]