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Japanese HolidaysJAPANESE HOLIDAYS
January 1 - New Year (Shogatsu) National holiday This is the most important Japanese holiday. Most businesses close January 1 through 3, and families gather to spend time with each other. The new year is viewed as completely separate from the old one, and people therefore try to complete their responsibilities before the new year starts. Bonenkai parties, or "year forgetting parties," are held to leave the old year's troubles behind and start fresh. A popular tradition is to visit a shrine or temple during Shogatsu, and the more popular ones may attract millions of visitors during these three days.
Second Monday of January - Coming of Age (Seijin No Hi) National holiday On this day, all of the young people that turn 20 in that year are celebrated, because 20 is considered to be the age when you become an adult in Japan. It is the minimum age to drink, vote, and smoke. Celebrations are held all over, and the people turning 20 wear traditional dress.
February 3/4 - Beginning of Spring (Setsubun) This is not a national holiday. It is held on the day before spring, and rituals were traditionally performed to chase away evil spirits at the start of spring. A more common tradition now is to throw roasted beans around your house, a shrine, or a temple, and shout, "Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!" ("Devils out, happiness in") After this, you are supposed to pick up and eat the number of beans that corresponds to your age.
February 11 - National Foundation Day (Kenkoku Kinenbi) National holiday On this day, Japanese celebrate the founding of the nation and the imperial line by the legendary first emperor, Jimmu. Customs on this day include the raising of the flag.
February 14 - Valentine's Day This is like the holiday in the US, except that in Japan it is only the women that give gifts on Valentine's Day. (The men reciprocate a month later on White Day.) The most popular gift to give is chocolate.
March 3 - Doll's Festival (Hina Matsuri) On this day, families with girls wish their daughters a successful and happy life, and elaborate tiers of dolls are displayed throughout the house.
March 14 - White Day This is the day when men in Japan reciprocate for the gifts they received on Valentine's Day. It is called White Day because marshmallows were originally given on this day. Today, however, a larger variety of sweets are given.
Around March 20 - Spring Equinox Day (Shunbun No Hi) National holiday This holiday celebrates the changing of seasons. Many people visit the graves of their family on this day to pay their respects and also weed their family tombs.
April 29 - Showa Day (Showa No Hi) National holiday Part of Golden Week, a 7-day period that has 4 holidays in it. It is the birthday of former Eperor Showa, who died in 1989. Until 2006, Showa Day was celebrated on May 4, which is now Greenery Day.
May 3 - Constitution Day (Kenpo Kinenbi) National holiday Also part of Golden Week. The new post-war constitution was enacted on this day in 1947.
May 4 - Greenery Day (Midori No Hi) National holiday Also part of Golden Week. Until 2006, Greenery Day was celebrated on April 29, which is now Showa Day. This day is dedicated to the environment, because former Emperor Showa loved palnts and nature. Before it was Greenery Day, May 4 was still a national holiday due to a law that requires that the day between two national holidays also be a national holiday.
May 5 - Children's Day (Kodomo No Hi) National holiday Also part of Golden Week. This is the day when families with boys wish their sons health and success in life. Streamers are hung and samurai dolls are displayed.
July/August 7 - Star Festival (Tanabata) This holiday takes place on the 7th day of the 7th month, when the stars Altair and Vega, which are usually separated by the Milky Way, are able to meet. It is sometimes celebrated on August 7 instead of July 7 because August more closely aligns with the 7th month on the lunar calendar formerly used. One custom on this day is to write a wish on a piece of paper and then hang the paper on a bamboo tree, hoping that the wish will come true. Colorful festivals are held across Japan on this day.
Third Monday of July - Ocean Day (Umi No Hi) National holiday This is a relatively new holiday that celebrates the ocean. It also marks the return of Emperor Meiji from a boat trip to Hokkaido in 1876.
July/August 13-15 - Obon This is a Buddhist event that commemorates the ancestors. The tradition is that the ancestors' spirits return during Obon to visit their relatives. The custom is to hang lanterns outside of houses to guide the spirits. It is also custom to perform dances, visit graves, and make food offerings at temples and house altars. At the end of Obon, floating lanterns are put into water to guide the spirits back. It is celebrated during the 7th month, which again means that it can be celebrated during either July or August, depending on which calendar is being used.
Third Monday of September - Respect for the Aged Day (Keiro No Hi) National holiday This holiday celebrates the Confucian value of respecting one's elders. On this day, gifts are given to people over the age of 70.
Around September 23 - Autumn Equinox Day (Shubun No Hi) National holiday This is the celebration of the aumtumn equinox. The traditions are the same as on the spring equinox: visiting family graves, bringing them offerings, and weeding the graves.
Second Monday of October - Health and Sports Day (Taiiku No Hi) National holiday This was the opening day of the Tokyo Olympics in 1964. Games are still played to commemorate this day.
November 3 - Culture Day (Bunka No Hi) National holiday The Japanese government hands out Bunka Kunsho on this day, which is a culture award, to a few people that have spent a great deal of time promoting Japanese culture or higher achievements in academic fields. Many universities and high schools use this day to display research projects and hold debate sessions.
November 15 - Seven-Five-Three (Schichigosan) On this day, girls aged 3 and 7 and boys aged 3 and 5 are celebrated. They are wished health and growth. On this day or the closest weekend, the children are dressed in kimonos and visit a Shinto shrine. Gifts symbolizing longevity are given to the children. Odd numbers are considered lucky.
November 23 - Labor Thanksgiving Day (Kinro Kansha No Hi) National holiday On this day, workers are thanked for their labor and hard work. It was originally a Shinto celebration where the emperor thanked a Shinto god for the year's rice harvest.
December 23 - Emperor's Birthday (Tenno No Tanjobi) National holiday As its name suggests, this is the celebration of the Emperor Heisei's birthday.
December 24-25 - Christmas Although not a national holiday, an increasing number of Japanese people are celebrating Christmas. The traditions are similar to those in the US, with gift-giving and a Christmas tree. Enthusiastic supporters of Christmas celebrations are retail stores and malls.
There are many other holidays and festivals that are not listed here. (Sapporo Snow Festival)
In Japan, it is a national law that if a day falls between two holidays, it will be a holiday as well. Also, if a holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday will also be a holiday.
Calendar for year 2009 (Japan)
Calendar generated on www.timeanddate.com/calendar
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2062.html
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