Hence this particular blog.
Sure I got Valentine's Day correct - and probably did the same for Christmas, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, and maybe even Halloween. But sometimes I just miss the mark.
Today's topic du jour was plucked from the department of redundancy department, and is about public holidays in Japan.
So... why do I state that I lack timing? Well... upon racking my brain for a topic, I thought of this particular one - d'uh... me like to right of holly daze. Anyhow, there's no reason to do this one today... there's no actual public holiday in Japan. I'm so sorry. I have shamed myself in front of you and the rest of the world.
There... that's what a Japanese apology would sound like if it was done in English. Long-winded and kind of confusing. That has nothing to do with anything, of course. I'm just padding the soon to be over-sized blog.
Public Holidays in Japan
Did you know that the Public Holiday Law (Kokumin no Shukujitsu ni Kansuru Horitsu) of Japan was established in 1948.
There's a whole lot of who-hah regarding how some special days actually get to be a day off - but that's for another day, poor pun intended.
I just wanted to perform a good public service announcement and let you all know about some of the more interesting Japanese holidays.
As well, Japan only just moved to the Gregorian calendar in 1873. Until that time, dates of holidays were based on the Chinese lunisolar calendar. New Year's Day (the first holiday mentioned below), was actually celebrated as the beginning of Spring - just like China, Vietnam, Korea and others.
Ganjitsu (New Year's Day); January 1, was officially established in 1948 - though I'm pretty sure Japan did celebrate it before that. This is the first day of Shogatsu (the New Year season) that, depending on the region, refers to the first one, three or seven days of the year. Before 1948, this date was called Shiho-hai, a national holiday with imperial worship being the focus - after all, until the end of WWII, the Emperor was considered to be a God.
Seijin no Hi (Coming of Age Day); fluctuates, but is the second Monday of January. This national holiday was devised to congratulate men and women who have managed to survive the rigors of life to hit the big two-oh (20).
Kenkoku Kinen no Hi (National Foundation Day); February 11. This event was first held in 1967 as a way for everyone to show their love for Japan. Between 1872 and 1948, this day was used to celebrate Kigen-setsu - celebrating the ascension of Emperor Jimmu as the nation's first Emperor.
Shunbun no Hi (Vernal Equinox Day); at or around March 20. Established in 1948 to force the people of Japan to appreciate all things involving nature and the love of living things. I would imagine no one is allowed to cut their lawn that day - if anyone in Japan actually had a lawn, of course.
Showa no Hi (Show Day); April 29. This day was established in 2007 to reflect on events of the Showa-jidai (Showa era) that encompasses 1926-1989. Showa refers to Emperor Hirohito. Showa jidai actually mans 'period of enlightened peace and harmony.' Seems like they forgot about Japan's Imperialism into neighbouring countries and that whole WWII thing. Anyhow, April 29 was Hirohito's birthday. After he died, the day was changed to Greenery Day, but that day was moved to May 4, with April 29 reverting back to Showa Day. Coincidentally (?) April 29 is the start of Golden Week... it's akin to the West's March Break.
Kenpo Kinenbi (Constitution Memorial Day); May 3. A national holiday begun in 1948 to commemorate Japan's new post-war constitution.
Midori no Hi (Greenery day); May 4. yet another day for Japan to feel good about nature. Geez... is there any nature left in Japan outside of a few national parks?
Kodomo no Hi (Children's Day); May 5/ Established in 1948, this day is to celebrate kids and to plan for their happiness. I don't know about other countries, but in Canada, Children's Day is every frickin' day. Anyhow, on this date, families with a boy fly carp streamers and decorate their homes with armour and samurai dolls.
I'm unsure how you celebrate if you have a girl. Probably make the girls do servitude labour for the boys. Do I sound bitter today?
Umi no Hi (Marine Day); Third Monday of July. First held in 1996, this is a day of thanking one's lucky stars for the oceans and seas and for the prosperity of the maritime nature of Japan. You can't make stuff up like this.
Keiro no Hi (Respect-for-the Elderly Day); Third Monday of September. Established in 1966 to pay homage to the aged. Again... is this not something that should be done every day? To be honest, Japan does seem to look after their senior citizens a lot better than other countries.
Shubun no Hi (Autumnal Equinox Day); On or around September 23. Established in 1948 to honour ancestors and to remember the dead. Prior to 1948, this was a much celebrated festival called Shuki korei-sai and was for much the same reason.
Taiiku no Hi (Health and Sports Day); Second Monday of October. A national holiday to celebrate sports and the cultivation of a healthy mind and body. You get a day off for this? When did Japan become communist? Established in 1966, it was chosen because the date of October 10 was the opening date of the Tokyo Olympics. In 2000, the date was altered to ensure people got a long-weekend.
Bunka no Hi (Culture Day); November 3. As a gaijin (foreigner) who is constantly bombarded by all things Japanese, this seems like over-kill. However, the date commemorates the 1947 signing of the new Japanese Constitution, and is meant to celebrate peace and freedom and promote culture.
Kinro Kansha no Hi (Labour Thanksgiving Day): November 23. There is no turkey involved with this date, which is good because I don't know nothin' 'bout birthin' no turkeys*. Another 1948 national holiday, that celebrates all that is good about labour, production and thanks to one another. I was going to make a joke about how people are actually afraid to take the day off from work in case their boss was there, but that would be in poor taste.
Tenno Tanjobi (Emperor's Birthday); December 23. What present do you get for a guy who has everything? Who knows. Just work harder and buy more Japanese-manufactured items to help resolve the countries crippling debt. This date celebrates the birthday of current Emperor Akihito, who was born in 1933.
Anyhow... there you have it. Consider this a way to plot your trip to Japan. Do not try and travel during Golden Week, or sail to Japan on Marine Day, or buy a turkey on Thanksgiving.
Somewhere wondering why I felt the need to pad this blog entry,
Andrew Joseph
Today's blog is by Canadian rockers Max Webster. No there is no Max Webster in the group. KIM
PS: The photo above was taken in Saipan (it's across a small expanse of water from Guam - and is also a U.S. protectorate. The Japanese tourists are having their photo taken in front of some old blown up Japanese weaponry left over from WWII when they took over the island before being kicked out by the Americans. Yes, it seems a tad odd to have one;s photo taken in front of a place were a lot of Japanese were killed...
PPS: *Under Kinro Kansha no Hi (Labour Thanksgiving Day): November 23, I make a crack about: "I don't know nothin' 'bout birthin' no turkeys". This is a bit of a rip from the classic movie/book Gone With The Wind. I replaced the word 'babies' with 'turkeys'
