event/holliday

Neo Hina Dolls

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March 3rd is Hinamatsuri, a festival for families with girls. However, in recent years, many younger people have lost interest. During Japan’s economic boom, a seven-tiered Hina doll display cost around 1 million yen, nearly the price of two new cars, symbolizing wealth. Nowadays, space and cost concerns lead families to buy only the main couple dolls or even just small figures or pictures. To attract younger generations, flashy Hina dolls with long eyelashes, bright hair, and vibrant kimonos have emerged. While some find them too flashy, these changes aim to keep the tradition alive.

3月3日はひな祭り。女の子がいる家庭は既に何かしら準備していることだろう。でも実は近年、若い世代の節句離れが起きている。高度経済成長期の7段飾りのひな人形は100万円。新車2台がほぼ買える値段。豪華なひな人形が豊かさの象徴だった。でも今は「家が狭くて置く場所がない」「高い」などの理由で、買っても男雛と女雛の2体だけ、それどころか従来の人形の代わりに手のひらサイズの飾りや絵などで済ませる家庭も多い。そこで少しでも若い世代に興味を持ってもらおうと、最近ド派手なひな人形が売られている。長いまつげ、鮮やかな色の髪の毛、派手な着物など、とにかく従来のひな人形とは全然違う。ド派手は少しやりすぎな気がしないでもないが、伝統を守るには変わっていかないといけないのだろう。

National Foundation Day

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February 11th is National Foundation Day (建国記念の日) in Japan. Established by the amendment of the National Holidays Act in 1966, this national holiday is dedicated to “remembering the founding of the country and cultivating a love for the nation.” February 11th was chosen for this celebration because it is traditionally believed to be the day when Japan’s first emperor, Emperor Jimmu, ascended the throne in 660 B.C., according to Japanese historical records.

建国記念の日は、1966年の祝日法改正により設けられた国民の祝日であり、「建国をしのび、国を愛する心を養う」日とされているんだそう。2月11日が選ばれた理由は、紀元前660年、日本の初代天皇である神武天皇が即位したとされる日だから。

Trivia about Setsubun

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Setsubun (節分), usually celebrated on February 3rd, marks the day before the first day of spring according to the East Asian lunisolar calendar. However, due to the Earth’s orbital period of 365.2422 days, the date of Setsubun can shift. For instance, in 2021, as well as this year, Setsubun falls on February 2nd, a date that hadn’t occurred since 1984.

On Setsubun, it’s customary to perform mamemaki and enjoy ehōmaki. However, this year, the price of ehōmaki has surged by nearly 15% compared to last year. This increase is largely due to the price of rice, which has skyrocketed by 60% over the same period.

今年の節分は2月2日。節分は2月3日のことが多いが、そもそも節分とは立春の前日のこと。地球の公転の周期は365.2422日なので立春の日付けがずれる。2021年も2月2日が節分だった。その前は1984年まで遡る。

節分には豆まきをしたり恵方巻きを食べたりするのが習慣だが、今年の恵方巻きは去年と比べて15％近く値上がりしているそう。特にお米の値段が去年より6割も高くなっているそうだ。

成人式 – Seijin Shiki

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“Seijin no Hi” or “Coming of Age Day” is a national holiday celebrated on the second Monday in January with a ceremony called “seijin-shiki.” Since April 1, 2022 the Japanese government has lowered the age of adulthood from 20 to 18. However, there are still certain rights and responsibilities you cannot assume until you turn 20. (See my 成人 post for details.) For many decades, the coming-of-age ceremony was traditionally held at age 20, and most areas continue this practice. Some regions have renamed the ceremony from “seijin-shiki” or “coming-of-age ceremony” to “hatachi no tsudoi” or “20-year-old gathering.”

一二三・詩 – Abe Siblings

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Siblings Hifumi (23) and Uta Abe (21) both won gold medals in Judo at the 2020 Olympics.  I wasn’t going to talk about any specific athletes since everyone is spectacular to me, but the Abe siblings look so cute that I just wanted to mention them.  They are the first Japanese gold medalist siblings, and the first siblings from any country to win gold medals on the same day.

Tokyo 2020 Olympics

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The Tokyo 2020 Olympics are being held for 17 days from July 23rd through August 8th, 2021.  The starting date was pushed back a year due to COVID-19, and until the very last minute people were still wondering if it would really be held at all.  Although the games have started as scheduled, there is no live audience.  But even under these conditions, athletes must be happy to have the chance to perform and compete.  頑張ってください！

Ehōmaki Fish Tank Decor

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Normally Setsubun falls on the 3rd of February, but it is the 2nd of February this year.  This happens due to the traditional East Asian lunisolar calendar, and this is the first time in 124 years!

Ehōmaki is a relatively new practice for the Setsubun started in 1998.  This is a photo of fish tank decor for Anago or Japanese sea-eel in Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium.