Japanese calendar
Japanese calendar types have included several of official and unofficial systems. At present, Japan uses the Gregorian calendar and also the Japanese era name system.
History
Japan has more than one traditional system for counting years, including
- The Chinese calendar (sexagenary cycle)
- The Japanese Imperial year (皇紀, kōki) or "National calendar year" based on the legendary founding of Japan by Emperor Jimmu in 660 BC.
- The Japanese era name (年号, nengō) based on the reign of the current emperor
Since the Meiji period, Japan has used the Western Common Era (Anno Domini) (西暦, seireki) system.
In Japan today, the old Chinese calendar is rarely used. The system of counting years from the reign of Emperor Jimmu has been abandoned.
Annual holidays in Japan's calendar
The Japanese calendar has yearly holidays and traditional events. Some of these preserve ancient customs.
The names and dates of some of Japan's national holidays have changed over time.
| Date | English name | Official name | Romanization |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1 | New Year's Day | 元日 | Ganjitsu |
| 2nd Monday of January | Coming of Age Day | 成人の日 | Seijin no hi |
| February 11 | National Foundation Day | 建国記念の日 | Kenkoku kinen no hi |
| February 23 | The Emperor's Birthday | 天皇誕生日 | Tennō tanjōbi |
| March 3 | Girls' Day | 雛祭の日 | Hinamatsuri |
| March 20 or March 21 | Vernal Equinox Day | 春分の日 | Shunbun no hi |
| April 29 | Shōwa Day | 昭和の日 | Shōwa no hi |
| May 3 | Constitution Memorial Day | 憲法記念日 | Kenpō kinenbi |
| May 4 | Greenery Day | みどり(緑)の日 | Midori no hi |
| May 5 | Children's Day | 子供の日 | Kodomo no hi |
| 3rd Monday of July | Marine Day | 海の日 | Umi no hi |
| 3rd Monday of September | Respect for the Aged Day | 敬老の日 | Keirō no hi |
| September 23 or September 24 | Autumnal Equinox Day | 秋分の日 | Shūbun no hi |
| 2nd Monday of October | Health-Sports Day | 体育の日 | Taiiku no hi |
| November 3 | Culture Day | 文化の日 | Bunka no hi |
| November 23 | Labour Thanksgiving Day | 勤労感謝の日 | Kinrō kansha no hi |
Related pages
References
- ↑ "Calendar" at Japan-guide.com; Bramsen, William. (1880). Japanese chronological tables, p. 25.
- ↑ Clement, Ernest W. (1902). "Japanese Calendars," in Transactions of the Asiatic Society of Japan, Vol. 30-31, p. 3.
- ↑ Bramsen, pp. 5-11.
- ↑ Bramsen, p. 11.
- ↑ Bramsen, pp. 2-5.
- ↑ Bramsen, p. 25.
- ↑ Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005). "Calendar" in Japan Encyclopedia, pp. 98-99.
- ↑ Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005). "Koi-nobori" in Japan Encyclopedia, p. 544.
- ↑ Nakamura, Akemi. "National holidays trace roots to China, ancients, harvests," Archived 2012-10-18 at the Wayback Machine Japan Times. April 8, 2008; retrieved 2012-2-21.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Brown, Ju. (2006). China, Japan, Korea: Culture and Customs, p. 68.
- 1 2 3 InfoMapJAPAN, "Japanese National Holidays/Traditional Events" Archived 2012-01-25 at the Wayback Machine; retreieved 2012-2-21.
- 1 2 3 "Japan," Catholic Encyclopedia (2009); retrieved 2012-2-21.
- ↑ Hinamatsuri at About.com Archived 2009-10-10 at the Wayback Machine; retrieved 2013-3-6.
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