In Japan March is generally considered women’s month is celebrated not only the eighth of March, but “Momo-but sekku” (peach blossom Festival), the famous Holiday girls, better known as “Hina Matsuri”, the doll Festival. Initially celebrated in the 3rd day of the 3rd month, as a seasonal event because at that time the peasants were relatively free from agricultural work and can enjoy the first warm days, when you started flowering peach trees.
According to the ancient traditions of the Heian period (794-1185 years) on this day in noble families were invited exorcists who have made special prayer services, aimed at all the troubles people have switched to paper dolls, “nagsi-Bina” which was then taken to swim in the river or sea.
The wide spread of the holiday was in the 18th century, and its main purpose was added custom to arrange in homes where there are girls, shows a richly dressed dolls depicting the life and customs of the Imperial Palace. Now the custom has changed a bit: instead of paper dolls put ceramic figures dressed in silk clothes. On a special bookcase in the best room there is a set that is composed of dolls, passed on from generation to generation Continue reading
Introducing Japanese holidays – is an interesting and unusual way to understand Japanese culture and learn about the people that make this country so different.
To get the most out of the holiday, the most important thing to arrive in Japan on time. If you arrive too late, you will encounter incredibly inflated housing prices and terrible traffic jams, and the most interesting will pass by.
So, here are the five most important and celebrated throughout the country holidays in Japan.
To important holiday celebrating the new year in Japan is taken very seriously. Traditionally, new year’s eve the Japanese cook soba noodles, eaten exactly at midnight and starts the year. At dawn the Emperor prays for his people. The similarity with the Chinese new year is that on this holiday there is a special food, and children receive money in little envelopes. As a rule, all family members gather around the holiday table together, where not only eat and drink, and play games.
January 2 open access into the inner grounds of the Imperial Palace to everyone. Second time in a year the doors of the Palace will open only on December 23 – in the Emperor’s birthday. Many stores and businesses are closed until at least January 3. Another holiday, coming of Age day, Continue reading
Throughout the world there are holidays for kids and children. It’s as natural as childbirth itself. But of course, in each country these holidays have their own unique features. Citi-go-San Matsuri is one of the most colorful festivals in Japan.
It is celebrated on 15 November, specifically around November 15, for have always employed Japanese adults have little free time. So we go the kids are on holiday for a few days, and even months before and after. The closer to the holiday, especially on the weekends – the more families decide to have their children to city-go-San Matsuri.
In this day, people visit Shinto temples to thank the gods for the health and happiness of children. Before Citi-go-San had a certain value – the boys in 5 years for the first time were allowed to wear trousers “hakama”, and to stand before the elders in adult clothes. Girls in years 7 also it was allowed for the first time to wear a belt for kimono – Obi. And in three years all children received the rite of conservation of hair (before that in childhood their shaved bald), when the oldest member of the family presented them a symbol of white hair – a bundle of raw silk. Then children get up in “real” Continue reading