In Japan celebrations are abundant this week as April 29th marks the beginning of Golden Week! The holidays this year start with Greenery Day which is a celebration of nature with festivities culminating on May 5th for Children’s day.
For a bit more information on Golden Week we’ve included a short break down!
April 29th
Greenery Day - Since 1989, following the accession to the Chrysanthemum Throne of the current Emperor, the name "Birthday of the Emperor" was changed to "Greenery Day". As its name suggests, it is a day to commune with nature, to be thankful for blessings, and to foster an abundant spirit. In 2007 April 29th will become Showa day with Greenery Day moving to May 4th.
May 3rd
Constitution Memorial Day - A holiday since the current Japanese constitution came into effect on May 3, 1947. Being a day that draws its significance from the Japanese constitution, Constitution Memorial Day is often chosen as a day to reflect on the meaning of democracy and Japanese government.
May 4th
Between Day – This is a day that is being phased out in 2007 for Greenery Day, it’s the day in-between Constitution Memorial day and Children’s day. In turn this day was made a holiday.
May 5th
Children's Day - Although it is not known precisely when this day started to be celebrated, it was probably during the reign of the Empress Suiko (593-628 A.D.). In Japan, Tango no Sekku was assigned to the 5th day of the 5th month after the Nara period. Until recently, Tango no Sekku was the boys' day (also known as Feast of Banners) while the girls' day (Hinamatsuri) was celebrated on March 3. In 1948, the government decreed this day to be a national holiday to celebrate the happiness of all children and to express gratitude towards mothers. It was then renamed Kodomo no hi.
On this day, families raise the carp-shaped Koinobori flags, one for each boy (or child), and display the doll of Kintarou usually riding on a large carp, and the traditional Japanese military helmet, Kabuto. Kintarou and the Kabuto are both symbols of a strong and healthy boy. Kintarou is the childhood name of Sakata no Kintoki who was a hero in the Heian period, a subordinate samurai of Minamoto no Raikou, having been famous for his strength when he was a child in Japan. It is said that Kintarou mounted on a bear, instead of a horse, and played with animals in the mountain when he was a young boy. Mochi rice cakes wrapped in kashiwa oak leaves, that is, kashiwa-mochi and chimaki, are traditionally served on this day.
Information from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Week_%28Japan%29
Message Edited by Raijinn on 05-01-2006 04:44 PM
