Festivals

In Japan there were many festivals connected with the annual (agricultural) cycle, with life cycle rituals, with court rituals and Shinto temple festivals mazuri. Some of these festivals have preserved until our days, for example the festivals of the spring and autumn equinox, and the New Year festival in the beginning of spring. The New Year complex included various “snow festivals”, the festivals of “awakening of nature” setsubun with rituals of driving away devils and demons. There are also specific festivals of admiring nature, for example the blossoming sakura – hanami, scarlet autumn maples – momidzigar, the full moon – tsukimi (the 15th day of the 8th month), chrysanthemums – kiku-no sekku (the 9th day of the 9th month).  Buddha’s birthday (April, 8th) coincides with the “Festival of flowers” Hana-mazuri. The Boys’ Day and the Girls’ Day originated from the ancient purification rituals. The most important summer festival obon (urabon) (July 13th – 15th) is connected with the ancient rituals of commemorating the dead. To life cycle festivals refer rituals connected with the birth of a child, for example, the miyamairi ritual (introducing the child to kami deities in a Shinto sanctuary); the festival of siti-go-sa (seven-five-three) celebrated for three- and seven-year old girls and five-year-old boys; festivals of initiation to the world of adults (the ceremony of putting on the first hakama for boys, the ceremony of tying up the obi belt for girls, and the ceremony of the first male hair-do, etc.) Birthdays (especially 50th, 60th and 70th anniversaries) are celebrated as well as weddings and funerals. At present, thirteen national public holidays are celebrated in Japan: January, 1st – the New Year; January, 15th – Coming-of-Age Day; February, 11th – National Foundation Day (in honor of the legendary Emperor Jimmu); March, 21st – Vernal Equinox; May, 3rd – Constitution Memorial Day; May, 5th – Children’s Day; September, 15th – Respect for the Aged Day; September, 23rd – Autumnal Equinox; October, 10th – Health and Sports Day; November, 3rd – Culture Day; November, 23rd – Labor Thanksgiving Day; December, 23rd – The Emperor’s Akihito’s Birthday.

New Year gifts. Japan. The Japanese. Late 19th cent.		Scene of Girls' Day. Japan. The Japanese. Late 19th cent.		New Year day. Japan. The Japanese. Late 19th cent.