Toyotomi Hideyoshi,
d Japan in 1590, and
Ieyasu,
Shogunate
of
able
to
They adopted the term medieval to describe the period when Japanese imperial authority
was weak and warriors played an important role in governing society. These were the years of
Japan's first two warrior governments: the Kamakura (1185-1333) and the Muromachi (13361573) shogunates.
Chapter 2
Distinct Culture
reciprocate two or threefold, but sometimes even expensive lingerie is given, which should not
be mistaken for a lewd suggestion.
March 20: (Shunbun no hi, Vernal Equinox Day)
Established in 1948 and dedicated to the admiration of nature and the love of living things.
March 21 and September 21: (Higan)
Buddhist holiday, on which memorial services for those passed away are held at temples during
the seven days preceding the vernal and autumnal equinox. People visit their family graves
during this period.
April 29 to May 5: (Golden Week)
Along with New Year and Obon, the Golden Week (usually abbreviated GW) is one of hte major
holiday and vacation periods in Japan, as it includes four public holidays within a week (Shwa
Day , Constitution Day , Greenery Day and Childrens Day
). Depending on the year, these will be fused with a weekend. As people either travel
within Japan or abroad or just visit their families, all means of transportation as well as
accomodation are fully booked, with prices and fees surging astronomically.
It is best to avoid this period when planning to travel in Japan.
April 29: (Shwa Day)
During Shwa period (until 1989) April 29 was a public holiday, marking the Shwa Tennos
birthday. After his death, the day was celebrated as Greenery Day. Finally, in 2007 Greenery
Day was moved to May 4 and April 29 proclaimed Shwa Day in honour of the late emperor.
May 3: (Kenp kinenbi, Constitution Memorial Day)
Established in 1948, it commemorates the Japanese consitution of 1947.
May 4: (Midori no hi, Greenery Day)
Introduced in 1989, it was held on April 29 until the year 2007, when it was moved to May 4, in
order to celebrate the blessings and the beauty of nature.
May 5: (Kodomo no hi, Childrens Day)
Originally celebrated as Boys Day, just as March 3 is Girls Day, it has nowadays become
Childrens Day and marks the last the of the Golden Week. Corresponding to the Dragon Boat
Festival ( tango no sekku), families with boys fly koi ((, carp) streamers (
koinobori) and adorn their homes with miniature samurai utensils, such as helmets (
kabuto), armour ( yoroi), swords ( katana), and bow and arrow (
yumiya).
July 7: (Tanabata Matsuri, Star Festival)
According the a Chinese legend brought to Japan in 755, a princess and a shepherd fell in love,
but were forbidden to meet, except for that day of the year (tanabata meaning the evening of the
seventh), when the two stars Kengy (, shepherd) and Orihime (, Weaving Princess)
meet in the Milky Way ( amanogawa, lit. heavenly river). On that day, children write
poems or wishes on streamers of paper and attach them on special tanabata trees. In some areas
of Japan, Tanabata is celebrated on August 7. The most famous festivals take place in Sendai,
Miyagi Prefecture and in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa Prefecture.
3rd Monday of July: (Umi no hi, Marine Day
First established in 1995, it commemorates the blessings of the oceans and its importance for
Japan as a maritime nation.
August 13-16: (Obon, Lantern Festival)
Bon () or obon () is a Buddhist festival to pay tribute to the ancestral spirits. During the
obon days, the spirits of the ancestors return to earth, and lanterns are lit in front of houses to
guide them to their families. Lanterns are then floated on rivers to indicate the way back to the
underworld, although the practice has disappeared in the cities. In most parts of Japan, obon is
held in the month of August ( hachigatsu bon), while in the Kant region (Tokyo,
Yokohama) as well as in some parts of Tohoku it is held in July( shichigatsu obon).
The obon holidays are one of the busiest vacation periods of the year.
3rd Monday of September: (Keir no hi, Respect-for-the-Aged Day)
Established in 1966 as a day to pay tribute to the elderly and hope for longevity. Originally
celebrated on September 15, it was changed to the 3rd Monday of September in 2003.
September 23: (Shbun no hi, Autumnal Equinox Day)
Established in 1948, it is a day to pay respect to those that have passed away.
2nd Monday of October: (Taiiku no Hi, Health and Sports Day
Originally held on October 10 in order to commemorate the beginning of the Tokyo Olympics in
1964, it was changed to the 2nd Monday in October in the year 2000 in order to enjoy sports and
observe a healthy lifestyle.
October 31: (Halloween)
Another virulent cultural import from Western countries, Halloween is becoming more and more
popular in Japan. It is usually celebrated in kindergartens and nightclubs, but children do not ask
for treats.
November 3: (Bunka no Hi, Culture Day)
Prior to 1948, November 3 commemorated the birthday of the Meiji Emperor ( Meijisetsu), since 1948 that holiday has been renamed to Culture Day to celebrate the new Japanese
constitution as well as peace and freedom.
November 15: (Shichi-Go-San, 7-5-3 Festival)
Shichigosan is the traditional rite of passage for boys aged 3 and 5 and girls aged 3 and 7 to be
blessed at the local shinto shrine to extend thanks for their good health and pray for their future
blessings. Children are dressed up in colourful kimonos.
November 23: (Kinr kansha no hi, Labour Thanksgiving Day)
Established in 1948, it celebrates labour and production, and is meant to thank one another.
December 23: (Tenn Tanjbi, The Emperors Birthday)
The birthday of the reigning emperor has been a national holiday since 1868. Emperor Akihitos
birthday is celebrated on December 23.
December 24/25: (Christmas)
Christmas is a popular celebration in Japan. Christmas decorations can be found in supermarkets
and department as early as in October, and quite a few Japanese decorate their houses to get in a
festive mood. It is common for (young) couples to go out and to exchange gifts, but Christmas is
not a family affair as in Western countries. Quiet family gatherings are reserved for the New
Year.
Chapter 3
References
January 14, 2017;
https://www.reference.com/geography/discovered-japan-9f61167d677f1732
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oda_Nobunaga
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Japan
www.colorado.edu/cas/tea/curriculum/imaging-japanese-history/medieval/essay.html
https://prezi.com/beaflamv8scr/japanesehttps://prezi.com/cbv5drj2qwer/cultural-analysis-japan/ulture/
http://www.jref.com/articles/japanese-holidays-and-festivals.76/