Investigating Japanese Festivals and Holidays

Japan is a country of long-standing traditions and customs. As such, the Japanese have a wide variety of festivals and holidays throughout the year. It could be said that Japan is a prime example of a country that works around its culture in order to celebrate its meaningful occasions, rather than letting its culture being restricted by the holidays.

From the oshogatsu or New Year’s celebration, to the bonenkai, or end of the year party, festivals and holidays in Japan pay homage to the ancient imperial ceremonies, Shinto deities and deities of Buddhism, as well as to their own unique culture and traditions. Some of these are so popular that they are celebrated all over Japan, while others are more localized, celebrated only in certain areas more distant from the central Japanese islands.

Origins of Japanese Festivals and Holidays

It is no secret that Japanese culture and traditions have been heavily influenced by Chinese and Korean pasts, and many of the Japanese festivals and holidays reflect that influence. Many of the festivals in Japan also pay tribute to the different myths, legends and ancient ceremonies, which are all essential parts of Japanese culture itself. From the infamous Obon to the Tanabata, there are festivals and holidays that tell of important relics and stories that have been passed down from generation to generation.
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One of the most important mythological figures in Japanese folklore is Izanami, a deity and one of the founders of Japan. In her honor, a popular festival takes place in August called Himatsuri, or the “fire festival”. It is said that the Himatsuri Festival marks the departure of Izanami from Earth after having descended from Heaven to bring forth Japan.

The Himatsuri Festival is only one of hundreds of festivals that take place in Japan, each one having its own origin and purpose, and each one having its own set of traditions and rules. Some festivals in Japan are celebrated in the same way they have been for thousands of years, while others have seen slight changes due to the changing opinions of society.

Popular Japanese Festivals and Holidays

The most popular festivals and holidays in Japan include the oshogatsu, a New Year's celebration, and the bonenkai, usually a New Year's week-long affair. There are also the hinamatsuri, the Doll Festival, the Golden Week, and the matsuri, or the various local and seasonal festivals that happen throughout the year.

The most widely celebrated festival by far is the New Year's celebration, which is celebrated from December 27th all the way to January 5th. There are customs like mochisukui and hatsuhinode, in which families celebrate the coming of the new year and make sure that the harvest of the year prior is not forgotten. It is also common to send out New Year's cards, the nengajo, to friends and family.
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The hinamatsuri, or Doll Festival, is celebrated each year on March 3rd, on which girls place their own dolls on a special stand in their homes. It is also a tradition to drink Amazake, a traditional sweet alcoholic beverage, as part of this festival. The Golden Week is a series of consecutive holidays celebrated all over the country, including Constitution Memorial Day, Greenery Day and the Showa Day.

Finally, there are the countless matsuri that happen all around Japan during the year. Depending on where one is located, one can find summer festivals like the Tanzaku festival, the Nebuta festival, or the Awa dance festival. Winter also has its own set of local festivals, like the famous Sapporo Snow Festival.

Culture and Traditions

As with all holidays, festivals and holidays in Japan provide an opportunity to learn more about the culture and beliefs of the Japanese people. Respective of the religions it honors, most of the festivals and holidays in Japan are centered around spirituality and faith.

The hinamatsuri is a perfect example of how the Japanese culture views honour and respect. It is believed that by displaying the dolls of the celebrated deities, the dolls of the Celebration become vessels through which fortune enters the home.

The oshogatsu also pays tribute to the religion of Shinto, which celebrates the sun goddess Amaterasu-Omikami. Families throughout Japan gather on the night of December 31st and pray to the gods and goddesses of Shinto until midnight, eating a special soup called soba-kabu-shiru, which is thought to keep away the evil spirits and welcome the good ones.

The Golden Week is a holiday that celebrates Japan's very own emperor, the Showa era, and Constitutionalist Memorial Day. During the Golden Week, families usually take vacations and have picnics in parks, or go on fishing trips, depending on the weather.

Conclusion

Without a doubt, Japanese festivals and holidays both bring with them a great variety of customs and traditions, each one of which is meant to honor and respect the old gods, and bring good fortune towards the present. The festivals celebrated in Japan are a reflection of the country's unique culture and beliefs; it is no wonder why so many festivals and holidays in Japan are lovingly celebrated by all.