Japanese Festivals & Holidays

[Asarii]

January 1st: New Year's Day (Ganjitsu 元日)
Second Monday of January: Coming of Age Day (Seijin no hi 成人の日)

February 3rd: Division of Season (Setsubun 節分)
February 11: National Foundation Day (Kenkokukinen no hi 建国記念の日)
February 14th: Valentine's Day

March 3rd: Doll Festival (Hinamatsuri ひなまつり)
March 14th: White Day
Around March 20th: Vernal Equinox Day (Shunbun no hi 春分の日)
Late March to early April: Flower Viewing (Hanami 花見)

April 29th: Shōwa Day (Shouwa no hi 昭和の日)

May 3rd: Constitution Memorial Day (Kenpoukinenbi 憲法記念日)
May 4th: Greenery Day (Midori no hi みどりの日)
May 5th: Children's Day (Kodomo no hi こどもの日)
*Golden Week

July 7th: Star Festival (Tanabata 七夕)
Third Monday of July: Marine Day (Umi no hi 海の日)

Third Monday of September: Respect-for-the-Aged Day (Keirou no hi 敬老の日)
Around September 23rd: Autumnal Equinox Day (Shuubun no hi 秋分の日)

Second Monday of October: Health and Sports Day (Taiiku no hi 体育の日)

November 3rd: Culture Day (Bunka no hi 文化の日)
November 15th: Festival for three, five, and seven year olds (Shichi-go-san 七五三)
November 23rd: Labour Day (Kinrou kansha no hi 勤労感謝の日)

December 23rd: The Emperor's Birthday (Tennou tanjyoubi 天皇誕生日)
December 25th: Christmas
December 31st: New Year's Eve (Ōmisoka 大晦日)[hr]
It's almost Hinamatsuri at the time of this post so I thought it would be nice to create a thread to share trivia or our experiences about Japanese holidays & festivals. Even though my family lives in Canada, we still celebrate the festivals at home to keep in touch with our roots. I'll post photos and talk about what happens during those dates.

Black - A holiday.
Purple - A festival.
Blue - A mixture of the two where you get a day off and partake in a tradition.
Green - A recent event.
[hr]
Depending on where you are in the world today is March 3rd, which means that it's Hinamatsuri (ひな祭り). It's a tradition to honor girls who wear a kinomo on this special occasion. Chirashizushi (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sifu_renka/2375476330/) and kai no osumashi (http://farm1.static.flickr.com/23/33618232_afe5573f12.jpg) (clear soup with clam) are eaten; confectionaries (hishi (http://www.stockfood.co.th/images-pictures/Hishi%20mochi%20(diamond-shaped%20rice%20cakes)%20&%20sweets%20(Japan)-873268.jpg) or sakura (http://www.corbisimages.com/images/67/3EFD7001-8A88-49CA-810A-2F4459E03A86/42-18058756.jpg) mochi are common) are given to the dolls. Of course they're eaten by people afterwards!

Here's a small tidbit about its history.

The origin of Hinamatsuri is an ancient Chinese practice in which the sin of the body and misfortune are transferred to a doll, and then removed by abandoning the doll on a river. A custom called "hina-okuri" or "nagashi-bina," in which people float paper dolls down rivers late on the afternoon of March 3rd, still exists in various areas.

Most households will have the two main dolls (the emperor and empress), but traditional places will go out and have thirteen with various accessories (http://image.blog.livedoor.jp/plazahomes1/imgs/d/0/d042edac.jpg).

Here's a traditional song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByIas_MjeVU) that can be heard every year. :)

These are the dolls I had since I was four months old.

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g4/dawn1120/photos/IMG_6236.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g4/dawn1120/photos/IMG_6242.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g4/dawn1120/photos/IMG_6247.jpg

Most of the female dolls have cropped (?) hair so what I love about my doll is that her hair is long. One year I took off the white paper, but my mom got mad at me so now it's asymmetrical. XD

[k-dom]

I was in Japan during sport day and we encountered some of the student playing sports in a gymnasium of Tokyo. Going to school on a day off, only japanese can think that way :-)
In our way to a temple we also crossed a little girl (3/4 years old) dressed in kimono. I think I have read it's an iportant family event but I forgot what it is

[Asarii]

I was in Japan during sport day and we encountered some of the student playing sports in a gymnasium of Tokyo. Going to school on a day off, only japanese can think that way :-)
At least the building was still open for the students to use! They might be in one of the sports teams at their school. Usually student athletes are really dedicated and never miss a day to practice.


In our way to a temple we also crossed a little girl (3/4 years old) dressed in kimono. I think I have read it's an iportant family event but I forgot what it is
It's most likely Shichi-go-san , which is celebrated when a child is three years old. :)

From your observations it looks as if you went to Japan during autumn.

[k-dom]

At least the building was still open for the students to use! They might be in one of the sports teams at their school. Usually student athletes are really dedicated and never miss a day to practice.

I thought I could upload some photos we made
http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/1209/taiikunohi.jpg


It's most likely Shichi-go-san , which is celebrated when a child is three years old. :)

Indeed that was surely that
http://img856.imageshack.us/img856/6564/dsc00347m.jpg


From your observations it looks as if you went to Japan during autumn.
Yes the last 3 weeks of october, that was really nice holiday. The last events pained me quite a lot since I spent so god time there.
Now that I remind it we also encountered some parade, one in Kyoto on the Arashiyama bridge and one in the Todaiji temple in Nara (I think we were quite lucky with this one). But I'm not sure they were yearly event.
http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/7205/todaiji.jpg

But we didn't see festivals like we see in manga with the wood shop and people dressed in kimono. But I guess we didn't really search for it.
Anyway I'm looking forward your next posts.

[mikkih]

Asari-chan,

Your dolls are very pretty! (I'm from Kansai area, so my dolls are placed in reverse - empress on your left and emperor your the right.) I hope you have put away your hina dolls already. You know what they say: You won't be able to get married if you keep hina dolls out too long after March 3rd. ;)




Most households will have the two main dolls (the emperor and empress), but traditional places will go out and have thirteen with various accessories (http://image.blog.livedoor.jp/plazahomes1/imgs/d/0/d042edac.jpg).

[Asarii]

Thank you, mikkih-san! :) Perhaps next year I could see your hina dolls as well.

I never knew that the placements of dolls are different based on where you live. My mom is from Tokyo so that's probably why the empress is on the right.

Don't worry, I managed to put away my dolls soon afterwards. ;)

[mikkih]

端午の節句　(Tango no Sekku / The classic Boys' Festival, currently called Children's Day) is approaching near, but I still display my hina-dolls. I suggested you to put them away, but I still proudly display them. lol Anyway, since I was not a boy, I don't remember celebrating anything particular on May 5th growing up. How about you, Asari-chan?

[Asarii]

端午の節句　(Tango no Sekku / The classic Boys' Festival, currently called Children's Day) is approaching near, but I still display my hina-dolls. I suggested you to put them away, but I still proudly display them. lol Anyway, since I was not a boy, I don't remember celebrating anything particular on May 5th growing up. How about you, Asari-chan?
I have a younger brother so my family also sets up the kabuto armor and koinobori (at home though). This year we haven't gotten around to displaying it yet because my house is undergoing renovation- don't want it to break!


Traditionally this was Boys' Day in Japan, but in 1948 it's name was changed to Childrens' Day to reflect the politically correct thinking of the time.

Despite this change, however, many Japanese still consider it to be Boy's Day. The traditional activities that are practiced on this day, honor the male children in the family in the same way as they have done for centuries.

[...]

Kodomo no Hi is best symbolized by the strings of koi carp you will see hanging from house windows, outside shops, and in the countryside, strung out over rivers.

Why koi carp? There are traditional stories that tell of the strength, stamina and drive of the carp as it swims upstream, against the flow of the river current.

It is this concept that Koi Nobori, koi carp streamers, represent. They are an expression of the family wish that their male children will grow strong and be able to successfully face the challenges that life will bring.

In Japanese culture, boys are still very much critical to the workings of society. Not in a sexist way as it is often perceived, but in a traditional system of roles. This is why Kodomo no Hi, or Boys' Day, is considered to be so important.

It is the long-established job of the elder son to take care of his parents once they reach a certain age. This does not mean the odd visit or dropping by to say hello. The son will move into the family home with his own family and take on the role of his father before him.

Here's an example of koinobori (http://art32.photozou.jp/pub/761/90761/photo/75674057.jpg) in Rikusentakada-shi. The city was severely damaged by the earthquake so hopefully the koinobori will offer hope for all children who are affected.

[k-dom]

Is my understanding correct that there is no girl's day ?

[mikkih]

Is my understanding correct that there is no girl's day ?

In old days, Hina matsuri (Doll Festival, March 3rd) was for girls, and Tango no sekku (May 5th) was for boys. The Children's Day (May 5th) is now an official national holiday, but girls still celebrate on March 3rd, and boys do so on May 5th. :)

[Roark]

I'd like to celibrate coming of age day :]

[Asarii]

I'd like to celibrate coming of age day :]
How old are you? :) If you're turning twenty this year, you'll be able to celebrate the Coming of Age day in 2012. That's the year people in my age will celebrate.

[murasakii23]

Thanks for this thread guys! I have to do a project for school (my Japanese elective:D) about a festival and this list is so much better than Wikipedia :P

I remember the koinoboi! I used to love them :P

And a q: I can't remember this festival we used to have at my Japanese school when I was little where we threw popcorn-thingys at a demon (oni :) and then it ran away. What is it called?

[Asarii]

You're welcome, murasakii23! :) June is a slow month for Japanese festivals and holidays, but please keep this thread updated.


And a q: I can't remember this festival we used to have at my Japanese school when I was little where we threw popcorn-thingys at a demon (oni :) and then it ran away. What is it called?
The festival you described is called Setsubun, which is celebrated in February. The popcorn-thing you described was probably dried beans- you eat the amount equal to your age.

[mikkih]

And a q: I can't remember this festival we used to have at my Japanese school when I was little where we threw popcorn-thingys at a demon (oni :) and then it ran away. What is it called?
It's funny. I think you are talking about Setsubun (節分), but they throw roasted soybeans instead in Japan. :amuse This is what they say: 「鬼は外、福は内」(Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi/ Demons out, happiness in.)


@Asari, you beat me while I was afk lol

Ha ha, it's all right!

[murasakii23]

Thanks Asarii & mikkih :D lol if you want, I can write down a list here of festivals from a specific area (Snow Festival in Sapporo etc) from everywhere in the year.

haha I wrote popcorn-thingys because otherwise i would've said seeds but that's definitely not right XD. Right onto the list!:3

edit:doing the list...

[saladesu]

That would be excellent, murasakii! Please do :) It would also give people who want to visit Japan a good idea of when is a good time to go to a specific place in Japan :XD

When I visited Gifu, I heard about the Takayama Festival. Too bad I was not there at the right time to catch it. You can get more info here (http://www.hida.jp/e-kankou/e-maturi/e-maturi.htm). It's said to be one of the most beautiful festivals in Japan! I did see pictures and the floats museum, and I must say they were spectacular. I would love to go back someday to watch the real festival! :D

[k-dom]

I guess it can also be double edged, because going to a place during a festival can make the stay quite expensive and crowded.

[Asarii]

Thanks Asarii & mikkih :D lol if you want, I can write down a list here of festivals from a specific area (Snow Festival in Sapporo etc) from everywhere in the year.
Go right ahead! The list in the opening post only encompasses what the entire country celebrates, and there are many more festivals depending on the region.


When I visited Gifu, I heard about the Takayama Festival. Too bad I was not there at the right time to catch it. You can get more info here (http://www.hida.jp/e-kankou/e-maturi/e-maturi.htm). It's said to be one of the most beautiful festivals in Japan! I did see pictures and the floats museum, and I must say they were spectacular. I would love to go back someday to watch the real festival! :D
I'd love to see pictures the next time you decide to go. :D It's an annual tradition for the locals, but it's probably a surreal experience for visitors.


I guess it can also be double edged, because going to a place during a festival can make the stay quite expensive and crowded.
That's true. Even Japanese visitors decide to drop by a festival so it does get pretty expensive and crowded. I'm sure it'll be worth it though. :)

[Asarii]

Nineteen days later, but here goes.

Tanabata

This festival occurs on July 7th every year and is based on the following myth:


Orihime (織姫 Weaving Princess), daughter of the Tentei (天帝 Sky King, or the universe itself), wove beautiful clothes by the bank of the Amanogawa (天の川 Milky Way, lit. "heavenly river"). Her father loved the cloth that she wove and so she worked very hard every day to weave it. However, Orihime was sad that because of her hard work she could never meet and fall in love with anyone. Concerned about his daughter, Tentei arranged for her to meet Hikoboshi (彦星 Cow Herder Star) (also referred to as Kengyuu (牽牛)) who lived and worked on the other side of the Amanogawa. When the two met, they fell instantly in love with each other and married shortly thereafter. However, once married, Orihime no longer would weave cloth for Tentei and Hikoboshi allowed his cows to stray all over Heaven. In anger, Tentei separated the two lovers across the Amanogawa and forbade them to meet. Orihime became despondent at the loss of her husband and asked her father to let them meet again. Tentei was moved by his daughter’s tears and allowed the two to meet on the 7th day of the 7th month if she worked hard and finished her weaving. The first time they tried to meet, however, they found that they could not cross the river because there was no bridge. Orihime cried so much that a flock of magpies came and promised to make a bridge with their wings so that she could cross the river. It is said that if it rains on Tanabata, the magpies cannot come and the two lovers must wait until another year to meet.

Wishes are written on tanzaku (a long piece of paper) and hung on a bamboo tree. IIRC you don't write your name down so with the power of anonymity, you can wish for anything whether it's passing an exam or something shallow (ha ha) such as getting a 3DS. People wear their yukata and participate in festivals at their local shrine.

[k-dom]

I was wondering if abroad Japanese like you Asarii also do Obon. It seems like an important day but it must be different when you are out of Japan, isn't it ?

[Asarii]

Apart from Hinamatsuri and Kodomo no Hi, my family doesn't do much for other festivals. However, Nikkei around the world do partake in traditions such as Obon. Just a few weeks ago my hometown's Japanese cultural centre had an Obon Festival.

Festivals and basically the entire culture of Japan are centered on community so it's more meaningful to celebrate with a large group than a small one.