Let me give an introduction first, Japanese will follow.
Holidays in Japan
There are many holidays in Japan. There are both national festivals and local festivals. Among the national festivals, there are both national statutory festivals and folk custom festivals.
(1) National statutory holidays
Uniform holidays stipulated by the state have existed since ancient times. After the Meiji Restoration, there was another theory of "Four Major Festivals". After the end of World War II, Japan enacted the "Law on National Holidays" (hereinafter referred to as the "Festival Law") in 1948. This law was later revised in 1966, 1973, and 1992 to add some holidays. Currently, Japan has 11 national statutory holidays. Statutory holidays are also public holidays. They are now introduced in chronological order as follows.
New Year's Day (January 1) is called "Yuan Day" in Japanese, which means New Year. Before the Meiji Restoration, Japan celebrated the Lunar New Year in the same way as our country, and like our country’s Spring Festival, it had the same meaning of expelling devils and welcoming gods. Even many New Year customs such as going to temples to ring bells on New Year’s Eve, drinking Tusu wine, paying New Year greetings, and giving New Year’s money to children, etc. Same as our country. There are also many customs that are different from the current Spring Festival in our country. For example, before New Year's Eve, a pine branch gate ("Kadomatsu" in Japanese) is built at the gate. In some areas, especially rural areas, straw ropes are hung on the pine branch gate to ward off evil spirits (note even). rope). The food during the New Year period is also very unique, such as eating buckwheat noodles on New Year's Eve, eating pre-made boxed cold meals ("Osechi Ryori") and "zabo" made with rice cakes from the first to the third day of the lunar new year. Visiting temples or shrines on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, etc. After the Meiji Restoration, the New Year, like other legal holidays, was celebrated according to the Gregorian calendar, but the customs of celebrating the New Year were basically retained, and new content such as sending New Year's cards to each other was added.
Adult's Day (January 15th) is a festival to celebrate the youth who have reached the age of 20 and become "adults" with citizenship rights. In 1948, it was officially designated as Adult Day through the aforementioned legislation. Every year on this day, grassroots local governments usually gather young men and women who have turned 20 between April 2 of the previous year and April 1 of the current year to hold an adult ceremony and present souvenirs to them.
Foundation Day (February 11), the legendary day when Emperor Jimmu ascended the throne, was designated as "Era Festival" after the Meiji Restoration. After the end of World War II, it was abolished because of its imperial history. In 1966, the Japanese Parliament decided to establish this holiday by amending the law, and later the cabinet issued a decree to designate this day as the founding anniversary.
The Spring Equinox (around March 21st) was originally the "Spring Emperor's Spirit Festival", where the gods of the emperor's ancestors were worshiped in places such as the Emperor's Spirit Hall. When the holiday law was enacted in 1948, it was still designated as a national holiday, but it was changed to its current name based on the principle of separation of church and state, and its meaning was also changed to "praise nature and cherish living creatures."
Green Festival (April 29), the birthday of Emperor Showa Hirohito, was already a national holiday when he was in power. After Hirohito's death, it was renamed to its current name and is still retained as a national holiday.
Constitutional Day (May 3) is a holiday established to commemorate the implementation of the current Japanese Constitution on May 3, 1947.
Children’s Day (May 5) was originally called the Dragon Boat Festival. This name was obviously introduced from my country. On this day, rice dumplings and cypress cakes (a kind of rice cake) are eaten, and calamus and calamus are placed on the roof. Customs such as mugwort are more obviously influenced by Chinese folk customs. After the Edo period, it was also called Boys' Day. This name carries the legacy of the samurai family. Its specific form is to hang carp streamers (a variant of the flag used by samurai) on high poles outdoors and place samurai dolls. It was changed to its current name in 1948.
Respect for the Aged Day (September 15) was established in 1966. Its legal meaning is to "pay respect to the elderly who have contributed to society for many years and wish them longevity."
The Autumnal Equinox (around September 23) was originally called the "Autumn Imperial Spirit Festival". It was renamed in 1948 and its legal meaning is "remembering the ancestors and mourning the dead."
Sports Day (October 10), this day is the opening day of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. It was designated as a national holiday in 1966 to encourage people to "like sports and exercise a healthy body."
Cultural Festival (November 3), the birthday of Emperor Meiji Mutsuhito, was designated as "Meiji Festival" in 1927. It was given its current name when the "Festival Law" was formulated in 1948. Its purpose is "to love freedom and peace, and to advocate culture."
The Day of Appreciation for Hard Work (November 23) was originally the day when the "New Tasting Festival" was held, that is, on this day the emperor would hold a ceremony to dedicate the newly harvested grains to the gods. It was changed to its current name in 1948, and its legal purpose is to "respect hard work, celebrate production, and let citizens thank each other."
Emperor’s Birthday (December 23), the birthday of the current Emperor Akihito, was designated as a national holiday after he ascended the throne in 1988. On this day, the emperor, empress, crown prince, crown princess, etc. usually meet the citizens who come to congratulate them on the palace tower.
(2) Non-statutory holiday
Girls’ Day (March 3) was originally a holiday corresponding to Boys’ Day. After the war, Boys’ Day was legally changed to all children. After Children's Day, Girls' Day is still an important folk festival.
On this day, parents often dress girls in gorgeous kimonos and place girl dolls at home to wish them health and happiness.
Obon Festival (July 15) is a festival used by the Japanese to pay homage to the souls of their ancestors. Its activities last for many days.
Qiwusan (November 15th) is a folk festival to celebrate the growth of boys and girls aged 3, 5 and 7 years old.
Christmas (December 25) is a holiday that gradually became popular in Japan after the end of World War II.
Valentine's Day (February 14) In recent years, this Western holiday has gradually become popular among young people in Japan.
Yuan Dynasty, January 1st
Adult Day, January 15th
The second day of January
The founding of the People's Republic of China February 11th
Spring Equinox Day
The Emperor’s Birthday April 29th
みどりの日に was renamed April 29th
Constitutional Memorial Day, May 3rd
National Holiday, May 4th
こどもの日, May 5th
Sea Day, July 20th Day
The third Sunday of July
Respect for the Aged Day September 15th
The third Sunday of September
National holiday reference
Autumnal Equinox Day
Sports Day October 10th
The second day of October
Cultural Day November 3rd
November 23rd, the day of gratitude for hard work
The Emperor’s birthday, December 23rd