Changes

*April 3: ''Jimmu tennôsai'' (神武天皇祭), or "Emperor Jimmu Festival," marking the anniversary of Jimmu's death.

*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."

*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.

*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.<ref name=saishi>Of thirteen rites regularly performed by the emperor himself, the ''kannamesai'' and ''niinamesai'' were the only two which had historical precedents prior to the [[Meiji period]].</ref>

*Nov 3: ''Meijisetsu'' (明治節), "Meiji Festival," established in 1927 in honor of the [[Meiji Emperor]].

*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.

*Nov 23: ''Niinamesai'' (新嘗祭), or "Rice Harvest Festival," associated with the regeneration of the emperor's imperial spirit or soul.<ref name=saishi/>

 

*(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): ''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.

*(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.

*"[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.

*"[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.

*Takashi Fujitani, ''Splendid Monarchy'', University of California Press (1998), 12-13.

[[Category:Culture]]

[[Category:Culture]]

[[Category:Meiji Period]]

[[Category:Meiji Period]]