Festivals and Holidays April-June

The festivities continue...

April:
April 1 in Japan is not a day for pranks or fools. It's the start of both the school year and the fiscal year for many companies.

Hana Matsuri (Floral Festival)
Celebrated on April 8, this festival commemorates the birthday of Shakyamuni Buddha. Born approximately 2500 years ago, legend claims that birds sang, flowers bloomed and sweet rain fell from the heavens when he was born. At Buddhist temples across Japan, people pour amacha, a sweet tea, over the Buddha figures.

During this time, cherry blossoms or sakura are in season and given as offerings to the Buddha. Many people enjoy sitting under the cherry trees and drinking with friends (as shown in my earlier post Tis the Season).

Showa Day
Celebrated on April 29, this day honours Emperor Hirohito, the longest running emperor in Japanese history. Hirohito reigned for 62 years during the Showa Era. Showa translates to enlightened peace.

Showa Day starts the beginning of a week-long holiday consisting of four national holidays, known as Golden Week. Most businesses are closed and this is the time of year people travel throughout Japan or to another country.

May:
Golden Week
May 3 is Constitution Day~ Kenpo kinenbi.
May 4 is Greenery Day~ Midori no hi. This day is dedicated to nature and the environment because the former Emperor Hirohito (Showa) loved plants and nature.

Midori no hi (Greenery Day)

May 5 is Children's Day~ Kodomo no hi. This is probably the most celebrated and beloved holiday in Japan. Parents pray for the future success of their children. The tradition is to hang koi (carp) kites known as koinobori and display samurai dolls which symbolize strength and power. It's common for children to wear kabuto or samurai helmets.

Koinobori

There is a song relating to the koinobori and the English translation is:

Carp streamers are higher than the roof
The biggest carp is the father
The small carp are children
Enjoying swimming in the sky

This fish is chosen for their determination in swimming upstream. Parents hope for their children to have the same fighting strength.

On this day, kashiwa mochi is eaten. This is a rice cake wrapped in oak leaves. An alternative is chimaki which is sweet rice cake wrapped in bamboo leaves. Depending on the region, it's not always easy to acquire oak leaves.  Oak trees are considered strong so by eating this, the children will become strong as well.

A popular fairytale is taught to children at this time, known as Momotaro or Peach Boy. Momo means peach and Taro is a common boy's name. The story was translated into English and we read it often in my classroom. Momotaro is a tale of a baby boy who appears to a childless woman in a giant peach. When the woman and her husband cut into the peach to eat it, they discover the boy who tells them he was sent from Heaven to be their son. Years later, he fights demons on an island with the aid of his friends; a talking dog, a monkey and a pheasant. He brings home the demon's treasure and his family lives comfortably from then on.

Peach Boy is both kind and strong, and these are qualities parents wish for their children, so they teach them this folklore.

Traditionally Children's Day was called Tango no Sekku, a festival just for boys, as the girls already had their doll festival in March. It has since become a holiday fitting to boys and girls; both are respected and happiness is wished upon them.

Golden Week is an extremely busy time to travel in Japan. Trains and airports are bustling with people leaving town.

Prices are doubled or tripled since there are really only two weeks out of the entire year that the Japanese can travel. My first Golden Week in Japan, I decided to get out of the country and hopped on a plane to Thailand. That week would cement my love affair with the country and I would return five more times.

June:
Celebrated on June 21, Geshi or Summer Solstice is recognized for the longest day (and shortest night) of the year.

Stay tuned for the next instalment of Summer festivals.

~MT