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{{Short description|Calendars used in Japan past and present}}{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2017}}File:Jokyo-reki.jpg|thumb|300px|1729 calendar, which used the Jōkyō calendar procedure, published by Ise Grand ShrineIse Grand ShrineJapanese calendar types have included a range of official and unofficial systems. At present, Japan uses the Gregorian calendar together with year designations stating the year of the reign of the current Emperor.“Calendar” at Japan-guide.com; Bramsen, William. (1880). Japanese chronological tables, p. 25. The written form starts with the year, then the month and finally the day, coinciding with the ISO 8601 standard.For example, February 16, 2003, can be written as either 2003å¹´2月16æ—¥ or 平成15å¹´2月16æ—¥ (the latter following the regnal year system). å¹´ reads nen and means “year”, 月 reads gatsu and means “month”, and finally æ—¥ (usually) reads nichi (its pronunciation depends on the number that precedes it, see below) and means “day”.Prior to the introduction of the Gregorian calendar in 1873, the reference calendar was based on the lunisolar Chinese calendar.

History

File:Japanese-Calendar-Color-Woodcut-1867.png|thumb|upright=1.25|Japanese Calendar (woodcutwoodcutFile:Briefly_Abridged_Calendar_of_1873%2C_Hiroshige_Museum_of_Art.JPG|Briefly Abridged Calendar of 1873File:Calendar_for_1907%2C_Nakai_Tokujiro_%28Pub.%29%2C_Hiroshige_Museum_of_Art.JPG|Calendar for 1907Over the centuries, Japan has used up to four systems for designating years:Clement, Ernest W. (1902). “Japanese Calendars”, in Transactions of the Asiatic Society of Japan, Vol. 30–31, p. 3, the Chinese sexagenary cycle, the {{nihongo|era name|元号|gengō}} system, the {{nihongo|Japanese imperial year|皇紀|kōki|extra=or {{nihongo2|紀元}} kigen}} and the {{nihongo|Western Common Era (Anno Domini)|西暦|seireki}} system. In the 21st century, however, the era system (gengo) and Western system (seireki) are the only ones still widely used.

Chinese Calendar

The lunisolar Chinese calendar was introduced to Japan via Korea in the middle of the sixth century. After that, Japan calculated its calendar using various Chinese calendar procedures, and from 1685, using Japanese variations of the Chinese procedures.See the page on the history of the calendar at the National Diet Library site: weblink.Bramsen, pp. 5–11. Its sexagenary cycle was often used together with era names, as in the 1729 Ise calendar shown above, which is for “the 14th year of Kyōhō, tsuchi-no-to no tori”, i.e., {{nihongo2|己酉}}.In modern times, the old Chinese calendar is virtually ignored; celebrations of the Lunar New Year are thus limited to Chinese and other Asian immigrant communities. However, its influence can still be felt in the idea of “lucky and unlucky days” (described below), the traditional meanings behind the name of each month, and other features of modern Japanese calendars.gengō)“>

Era Names (gengō)

The {{nihongo|era name|元号|gengō}} system was also introduced from China, and has been in continuous use since AD 701.Bramsen, pp. 2–5. The reigning Emperor chooses the name associated with their regnal eras; before 1868, multiple names were chosen throughout the same emperor’s rule, such as to commemorate a major event.See list of nengō with the reasons for the changes in Rekishi Dokuhon, January 2008 (“Nihon no Nengo Tokushuu“), pp. 196–221. For instance, the Emperor Kōmei’s reign (1846–1867) was split into seven eras, one of which lasted only one year. Starting with Kōmei’s son the Emperor Meiji in 1868, there has only been one gengō per emperor representing their entire reign.The nengō system remains in wide use, especially on official documents and government forms.WEB,www.tofugu.com/2014/07/15/understanding-the-ways-that-japan-tells-time/, Understanding The Ways That Japan Tells Time, Tofugu.com, July 15, 2014, It is also in general use in private and personal business.The present era, Reiwa, formally began on 1 May 2019.WEB,thediplomat.com/2019/04/japans-new-imperial-era-is-announced-hesei-ends-reiwa-begins/, Japan’s New Imperial Era is Announced: ‘Hesei’ Ends, ‘Reiwa’ Begins, NEWS,www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/01/japan-reiwa-naruhito-emperor, Japan welcomes new emperor Naruhito as Reiwa era begins, The Guardian, May 2019, McCurry, Justin, “MEMBERWIDE">TITLE=NEW ERA NAME ‘REIWA’ DEFINES JAPAN AS EMPEROR AKIHITO PREPARES TO ABDICATE, NPRaccess-date=8 March 2023Japanese government on 1 April 2019, a month prior to Naruhito’s accession to the throne.HTTPS://ENGLISH.KYODONEWS.NET/NEWS/2019/04/1CB8C8786917-UPDATE1-JAPAN-TO-ANNOUNCE-NAME-OF-ERA-UNDER-NEW-EMPEROR.HTML WEBSITE=ASSOCIATED PRESS Heisei, came to an end on 30 April 2019, after Japan’s former emperor, Akihito, abdicated the throne. Reiwa is the first era name whose characters come from a Japanese root source; prior eras’ names were taken from Chinese classic literature.HTTPS://WWW.THEGUARDIAN.COM/WORLD/2019/APR/01/REIWA-HOW-JAPANS-NEW-ERA-NAME-IS-BREAKING-TRADITION NEWSPAPER=THE GUARDIAN LAST1=MCCURRY kōki or kigen)“>

Japanese Imperial Years (kōki or kigen)

The {{nihongo|Japanese imperial year|皇紀|kōki|extra=or {{nihongo2|紀元}} kigen}} is based on the date of the legendary founding of Japan by Emperor Jimmu in 660 BC.Bramsen, p. 11. For instance, 660 BC is counted as Kōki 1.It was first used in the official calendar in 1873.See “2533 years since Jinmu’s accession” in the heading weblink {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130122230000www.ndl.go.jp/koyomi/e/history/pic10_2_lar.html|date=January 22, 2013}}” Kōki 2600 (1940) was a special year. The 1940 Summer Olympics and Tokyo Expo were planned as anniversary events, but were canceled due to the Second Sino-Japanese War. The Japanese naval Zero Fighter was named after this year. After the Second World War , the United States occupied Japan, and stopped the use of kōki by officials.“kigen” in Kokushi Daijiten, vol. 4 (Yoshikawa Kôbunkan, 1983).Today, kōki is rarely used, except in some judicial contexts. Usage of kōki dating can be a nationalist signal, pointing out that the history of Japan’s imperial family is longer than that of Christianity, the basis of the Anno Domini (AD) system.The 1898 law determining the placement of leap years{{nihongo2|閏年ニ關スル件}} (Japanese Imperial Edict No. 90, May 11, 1898) is officially based on the kōki years, using a formula that is effectively equivalent to that of the Gregorian calendar: if the kōki year number is evenly divisible by four, it is a leap year, unless the number minus 660 is evenly divisible by 100 and not by 400. Thus, for example, the year Kōki 2560 (AD 1900) is divisible by 4; but 2560 − 660 = 1900, which is evenly divisible by 100 and not by 400, so kōki 2560 (1900) was not a leap year, just as in most of the rest of the world.seireki)“>

Gregorian Calendar (seireki)

The {{nihongo|Western Common Era (Anno Domini)|西暦|seireki}} system, based on the solar Gregorian calendar, was first introduced in 1873 as part of the Japan’s Meiji period modernization.Bramsen, p. 25.Nowadays, Japanese people know it as well as the regnal eras.

Divisions of time

Seasons

There are four seasons corresponding to the West’s:{| class=wikitable! English name !! Japanese name !! Romanisation !! Traditional dates春}} haru February 5 – May 6夏}} natsu May 7 – August 8秋}} aki August 9 – November 7冬}} fuyu November 8 – February 4However, there is also a traditional system of 72 microseasons ({{nihongo|kō|候}}), consisting of 24 solar terms ({{CJKV|j=節気|r=sekki}}) each divided into three sets of five days,WEB,www.nippon.com/en/features/h00124/, Japan’s 72 Microseasons, October 16, 2015, WEB,www.takasago.com/en/new, Takasago website has adopted a new theme. | Takasago International Corporation, WEB,www.nippon.com/en/japan-topics/b09701/?cx_recs_click=true, Japan’s 24 Solar Terms, February 3, 2023, and with specially-named days or {{nihongo|Zassetsu|雑節}} indicating the start and end of each. This system was adapted from the Chinese in 1685 by court astronomer Shibukawa Shunkai, rewriting the names to better match the local climate and nature in his native Japan. Each ko has traditional customs, festivals, foods, flowers and birds associated with it.WEB,www.nippon.com/en/japan-topics/b09702/?cx_recs_click=true, Risshun (Beginning of Spring), February 3, 2023, One can nowadays download an app to learn about and follow along with these “micro-seasons,“WEB,www.kurashikata.com/72seasons/, 72 Seasons | うつくしいくらしかた研究所, WEB,hyperallergic.com/345174/reboot-with-the-ancient-japanese-calendar-of-72-microseasons/, Reboot with the Ancient Japanese Calendar of 72 Microseasons, December 15, 2016, listed below:

The 24 sekki

{| class=wikitable! Microseason Number !! Traditional Dates !! Japanese Name !! Romanization !! English Meaning Risshun|立春}} (Beginning of Spring) |The east wind melts the thick ice.|Bush warblers sing in the countryside.|Ice cracks, allowing fish to emerge. Usui|雨水}} (Rain Water) |Rain falls, moistening the soil. |Mist lies over the land. |Trees and plants put forth buds. Keichitsu|啓蟄}} (Insects Awakening) |Hibernating insects emerge. |Peach trees begin to bloom. |Cabbage whites emerge from their cocoons. Shunbun|春分}} (Spring Equinox) |Sparrows begin building their nests. |Cherry blossoms begin to bloom. |Thunder rumbles far away. ’’Qingming’’>清明}} (Fresh Green) |Swallows return from the south. |Wild geese fly north. |Rainbows begin to appear. Kokuu|穀雨}} (Grain Rain) |Reeds begin to sprout. |Rice seedlings grow. |Peonies bloom. ’’Lixia’’>立夏}} (Beginning of Summer) |Frogs begin croaking. |Worms wriggle to the surface. |Bamboo shoots sprout. Shōman|小満}} (Lesser Fullness) |Silkworms feast on mulberry leaves. |Safflowers bloom in abundance. |Barley ripens, ready to be harvested. Bōshu|芒種}} (Grain in Ear)|Praying mantises hatch and come forth. |Fireflies fly out from moist grass. |Plums ripen, turning yellow. ’’Xiazhi’’>夏至}} (Summer Solstice) |Prunella flowers wither. |Irises bloom. |Crowdipper sprouts. Shōsho|小暑}} (Lesser Heat) |Warm winds blow. |Lotuses begin to bloom. |Young hawks learn to fly. ’’Dashu (solar term)’’>大暑}} (Greater Heat) |Paulownia trees begin to produce seeds. |The ground is damp, the air hot and humid.|Heavy rains fall. RisshÅ«|立秋}} (Beginning of Autumn) |Cool winds blow. |Evening cicadas begin to sing. |Thick fog blankets the land. Shosho|処暑}} Shosho (End of Heat) |Cotton bolls open. |The heat finally relents. |Rice ripens. Hakuro|白露}} (White Dew) |White dew shimmers on the grass. |Wagtails begin to sing. |Swallows return to the south. ShÅ«bun|秋分}} (Autumnal Equinox) |Thunder comes to an end. |Insects close up their burrows. |Fields are drained of water. Kanro|寒露}} (Cold Dew) |Wild geese begin to fly back. |Chrysanthemums bloom. |Crickets chirp by the door. Sōkō|霜降}} (First Frost) |Frost begins to form. |Drizzling rain falls gently. |Maple leaves and ivy turn yellow. ’’Lidong’’>立冬}} (Beginning of Winter) |Sasanqua camellias begin to bloom. |The land begins to freeze. 57November 17–21金盞香Kinsenka sakuDaffodils bloom. Shōsetsu|小雪}} (Light Snow) |Rainbows disappear. |The north wind blows leaves off the trees. |Tachibana citrus trees begin to turn yellow. Taisetsu|大雪}} (Heavy Snow) |The skies stay cold as winter arrives. |Bears hide away in their dens to hibernate. |Salmon swim upstream en masse. ’’Dongzhi (solar term)’’>冬至}} (Winter Solstice) |Prunella sprouts. |Deer shed their antlers. |Barley sprouts under the snow. Shōkan|小寒}} (Lesser Cold) |Parsley thrives. |Springs once frozen flow once more. |Cock pheasants begin to call. ’’Dahan (solar term)’’>大寒}} (Greater Cold) |Butterburs put forth buds. |Mountain streams gain a cover of thick ice. |Hens begin to lay eggs.Zassetsu“>

Zassetsu

{{nihongo|Zassetsu|雑節}} is a collective term for special seasonal days within the 24 sekki. {| class=wikitable! Date !! Kanji !! Romaji !! Comment節分}} Setsubun The eve of Risshun by one definition.春彼岸}} Haru higan The seven days surrounding Shunbun.春社日}} Haru shanichi In Shinto. {{nihongo2|彼岸中日}} (Higan Chunichi) in Buddhism.八十八夜}} HachijÅ« hachiya Literally meaning 88 nights (since Risshun).入梅}} NyÅ«bai Literally meaning entering tsuyu.半夏生}} Hangeshō One of the 72 Kō. Farmers take five days off in some regions.中元}} ‘’Chugen >| Officially July 15. August 15 in many regions (Tsuki-okure’’).夏の土用}} Natsu no doyō Custom of eating eel on this day.二百十日}} Nihyaku tōka Literally meaning 210 days (since Risshun).二百二十日}} Nihyaku hatsuka Literally meaning 220 days.ē秋彼岸}} Aki higan The seven days surrounding ShÅ«bun.秋社日}} Aki shanichi In Shinto. {{nihongo2|彼岸中日}} in Buddhism.Shanichi dates can vary by as much as 5 days.ChÅ«gen has a fixed day. All other days can vary by one day.Many zassetsu days occur in multiple seasons:

• {{nihongo|Doyō|土用}} refers to the 18 days before each season, especially the one before fall which is known as the hottest period of a year.
• {{nihongo|Higan|彼岸}} is the seven middle days of spring and autumn, with Shunbun at the middle of the seven days for spring, ShÅ«bun for fall.
• {{nihongo|Shanichi|社日}} is the {{nihongo|Tsuchinoe|戊}} day closest to Shunbun (middle of spring) or ShÅ«bun (middle of fall), which can be as much as 5 days before to 4 days after Shunbun/ShÅ«bun.

The term {{transliteration|ja|hepburn|Setsubun}} () originally referred to the eves of {{transliteration|ja|hepburn|Risshun}} (, 315°, the beginning of Spring), {{transliteration|ja|hepburn|Rikka}} (, 45°, the beginning of Summer), {{transliteration|ja|hepburn|Risshū}} (, 135°, the beginning of Autumn), and {{transliteration|ja|hepburn|Rittō}} (, 225°, the beginning of Winter); however, it now only refers to the day before {{transliteration|ja|hepburn|Risshun}}.

Months

{{Redirect-several|Kisaragi|Kannazuki}}File:ShinOchaEkiMuralHachigatsu8540.jpg|thumb|right|This mural on the wall of Shin-Ochanomizu subway station in Tokyo celebrates Hazuki, the eighth month.]]As mentioned above, the Japanese calendar used to be based on an adaptation of the Chinese lunar calendar, which begins 3 to 7 weeks later than the Gregorian. In other words, the Gregorian “first month” and the Chinese “first month” do not align, which is important in historical contexts.The “traditional names” for each month, shown below, are still used by some in fields such as poetry; of the twelve, Shiwasu is still widely used today. The opening paragraph of a letter or the greeting in a speech might borrow one of these names to convey a sense of the season. Some, such as Yayoi and Satsuki, do double duty as given names (for women). These month names also appear from time to time on jidaigeki, contemporary television shows and movies set in the Edo period or earlier.The Japanese names for the modern Gregorian months literally translate to “first month”, “second month”, and so on. The corresponding number is combined with the suffix {{nihongo2|月}} (-gatsu, “month“). The table below uses traditional numerals, but the use of Western numerals ({{nihongo2|１月}}, {{nihongo2|２月}}, {{nihongo2|３月}} etc.) is common.(File:Japanese calendar december.jpg|thumb|right|A Japanese calendar from 2011 depicting the month of December (shiwasu 師走)){| class = wikitable! English name !! Common Japanese name !! Traditional Japanese name valign = top一月}} (ichigatsu)Mutsuki|“Month of Love,” alternatively “Month of Affection“}}.WEB valign = top二月}} (nigatsu)KisaragiKinusaragi|“Changing Clothes“}}. valign = top三月}} (sangatsu)Yayoi|“New Life“}}. valign = top四月}} (shigatsu)Uzukiu-no-hana month“}}. The u-no-hana ({{nihongo2>卯の花}}) is a flower, of the genus Deutzia.「卯月」で始まる言葉 – 国語辞書の検索結果 – GOO辞書> LANGUAGE=JA ACCESS-DATE = 2011-11-23, valign = top五月}} (gogatsu)SatsukiSanaetsuki|“Early-rice-planting Month“}}. valign = top{{nihongo2|六月}} (rokugatsu)}}Minazukiç„¡}} character, which normally means “absent” or “there is no”, is ateji here, and is only used for the na sound. In this name the na is actually a possessive particle, so minazuki means “month of water”, not “month without water”, and this is in reference to the flooding of the rice fields, which require large quantities of water.「水無月」で始まる言葉 – 国語辞書の検索結果 – GOO辞書> LANGUAGE=JA ACCESS-DATE = 2011-11-23, valign = top{{nihongo2|七月}} (shichigatsu)}}Fuzuki|“Month of Erudition“}}. valign = top{{nihongo2|八月}} (hachigatsu)}}Hazuki葉落ち月}} (Haochizuki, or “Month of Falling Leaves“). valign = top九月}} (kugatsu)Nagatsuki|“The Long Month“}}. valign = top十月}} (jÅ«gatsu)Kannazuki or {{nihongo>Kaminazukiç„¡}} character, which normally means “absent” or “there is not”, was here probably originally used as an ateji for the possessive particle na, so Kaminazuki may have originally meant “Month of the Gods”, not “Month without Gods” (Kaminakizuki), similarly to Minatsuki, the “Month of Water”.Entries in the standard dictionaries Daijisen {{nihongo2小学館}}), Daijirin {{nihongo2三省堂}}), Nihon Kokugo Daijiten {{nihongo2小学館}}). However, by what may be false etymology, the name became commonly interpreted to mean that, because in that month all the Shinto kami gather at Izumo-taisha in Izumo Province (modern-day Shimane Prefecture), there are no gods in the rest of the country. Thus in Izumo Province, the month is called {{nihongo>KamiarizukiPUBLISHER=UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII PRESSPAGES=178Nihon Kokugo Daijiten {{nihongo2>日本国語大辞典}} (Shōgakukan {{nihongo2|小学館}}) lists nine more besides. valign = top{{nihongo2|十一月}} (jÅ«ichigatsu)}}Shimotsuki|“Month of Frost“}}. valign = top十二月}} (jÅ«nigatsu)ShiwasuShogatsu>New Year’s preparations and blessings.

Division of the Month

Week

Japan uses a seven-day week, aligned with the Western calendar. The seven-day week, with names for the days corresponding to the Latin system, was brought to Japan around AD 800 with the Buddhist calendar. The system was used for astrological purposes and little else until 1876.Much like in multiple European languages, in which the names for weekdays are, partially or fully, based on what the Ancient Romans considered the seven visible planets, meaning the five visible planets and the sun and the moon, in The Far East the five visible planets are named after the five Chinese elements (metal, wood, water, fire, earth.) On the origin of the names of the days of the week, also see East Asian Seven Luminaries.{| class=wikitable! Japanese !! Romanization !! Element (planet) !! English name日曜日}}nichiyōbiSunSunday月曜日}}getsuyōbiMoonMonday火曜日}}kayōbiFire (Mars)Tuesday水曜日}}suiyōbiWater (Mercury (planet))>|Wednesday木曜日}}mokuyōbiWood (Jupiter)Thursday金曜日}}kin’yōbiMetal (Venus)Friday土曜日}}doyōbiEarth (Saturn)SaturdaySunday and Saturday are regarded as “Western style take-a-rest days”. Since the late 19th century, Sunday has been regarded as a “full-time holiday”, and Saturday a {{nihongo|half-time holiday|半ドン}}. These days have no religious meaning (except those who believe in Christianity or Judaism). Many Japanese retailers do not close on Saturdays or Sundays, because many office workers and their families are expected to visit the shops during the weekend.jun)“>

10-Days (jun)

Japanese people also use 10-day periods called {{nihongo|jun|æ—¬}}. Each month is divided into two 10-day periods and a third with the remaining 8 to 11 days:

• The first (from the 1st to the 10th) is {{nihongo|jōjun|上旬||upper jun}}
• The second (from the 11th to the 20th), {{nihongo|chÅ«jun|中旬||middle jun}}
• The last (from the 21st to the end of the month), {{nihongo|gejun|下旬||lower jun}}.WEB,books.google.com/books?id=oteRDwAAQBAJ&q=month%22+three+jun%22&pg=PT253, Spirit of the Dragon, Erynn, Lehtonen, February 12, 2019, Erynn Lehtonen via PublishDrive, Google Books,

These are frequently used to indicate approximate times, for example, “the temperatures are typical of the jōjun of April”; “a vote on a bill is expected during the gejun of this month.” The magazine Kinema Junpo was originally published once every jun (i.e. three times a month).BOOK,books.google.com/books?id=XXD1AQAAQBAJ&q=%22Kinema+Junpo%22++month&pg=PA150, The Oxford Handbook of Japanese Cinema, Daisuke, Miyao, July 12, 2014, OUP USA, 9780199731664, Google Books,

Days

The table below shows dates written with traditional numerals, but use of Arabic numerals ({{nihongo2|１日}}, {{nihongo2|ï¼’æ—¥}}, {{nihongo2|３日}}, etc.) is extremely common in everyday communication, almost the norm.{| valign = top| {| class=wikitable! width=50pt|Day number !! width=50pt|Japanese name !! width=50pt|Romanisation一日}}tsuitachi二日}}futsuka三日}}mikka四日}}yokka五日}}itsukaå…­æ—¥}}muika七日}}nanokaå…«æ—¥}}yōka九日}}kokonoka十日}}tōka{{nihongo2|jÅ«ichi-nichi十二日}}jÅ«ni-nichi十三日}}jÅ«san-nichi十四日}}jÅ«yokkajÅ«yon-nichi十五日}}jÅ«go-nichi|  | {| class=wikitable! Day number !! Japanese name !! Romanisation十六日}}jÅ«roku-nichi17width=25%十七日}}jÅ«shichi-nichi十八日}}jÅ«hachi-nichi十九日}}jÅ«kyÅ«-nichijÅ«ku-nichi二十日}}hatsuka{{nihongo2|nijÅ«ichi-nichi二十二日}}nijÅ«ni-nichi二十三日}}nijÅ«san-nichi二十四日}}nijÅ«yokkanijÅ«yon-nichi二十五日}}nijÅ«go-nichi二十六日}}nijÅ«roku-nichi二十七日}}nijÅ«shichi-nichi二十八日}}nijÅ«hachi-nichi二十九日}}nijÅ«kyÅ«-nichinijÅ«ku-nichi三十日}}sanjÅ«-nichi三十一日}}sanjÅ«ichi-nichiEach day of the month has a semi-systematic name. The days generally use kun (native Japanese) numeral readings up to ten, and thereafter on (Chinese-derived) readings, but there are some irregularities.Tsuitachi is a worn-down form of tsuki-tachi ({{nihongo2|月立ち}}), literally “month start.” The last day of the month was called tsugomori, which means “Moon hidden.” This classical word comes from the tradition of the lunisolar calendar.The 30th was also traditionally called misoka, just as the 20th is called hatsuka. Nowadays, the terms for the numbers 28–31 plus nichi are much more common. However, misoka is much used in contracts, etc., specifying that a payment should be made on or by the last day of the month, whatever the number is. New Year’s Eve is known as {{nihongo|ÅŒmisoka|大晦日||big 30th}}, and that term is still in use.As mentioned below, there is traditional belief that some days are lucky (kichijitsu) or unlucky. For example, there are some who will avoid beginning something on an unlucky day.Nussbaum, ”Kichijitsu” at p. 513.

Holidays and other notable days

April 1

The first day of April has broad significance in Japan. It marks the beginning of the government’s fiscal year.WEB,www.jircas.affrc.go.jp/english/publication/annual/2002/169.pdf, The Japanese Fiscal Year and Miscellaneous Data, 2007-10-08, 2003, Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences,www.jircas.affrc.go.jp/english/publication/annual/2002/169.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20071025023143www.jircas.affrc.go.jp/english/publication/annual/2002/169.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20071025023143www.jircas.affrc.go.jp/english/publication/annual/2002/169.pdf, October 25, 2007, dead, Many corporations follow suit. In addition, corporations often form or merge on that date. In recent years, municipalities have preferred it for mergers. On this date, many new employees begin their jobs, and it is the start of many real-estate leases. The school year begins on April 1.Rokuyō“>

Rokuyō

The {{nihongo|rokuyō|六曜}} are a series of six days calculated from the date of Chinese calendar that supposedly predict whether there will be good or bad fortune during that day. The rokuyō are commonly found on Japanese calendars and are often used to plan weddings and funerals, though most people ignore them in ordinary life. The rokuyō are also known as the {{nihongo|rokki|六輝}}. In order, they are:{| class=“wikitable“! Kanji! Romanization! Meaning先勝}}| Senshō| Good luck before noon, bad luck after noon. Good day for beginnings (in the morning).友引}}| Tomobiki| Your friends may be “drawn-in” towards good and evil. Funerals are avoided on this day (tomo = friend, biki = pull, thus a funeral might pull friends toward the deceased). Typically crematoriums are closed this day. But, for instance, weddings are fine on this day.先負}}| Senbu| Bad luck before noon, good luck after noon.仏滅}}| ButsumetsuGautama Buddha>Buddha died. Considered the most unlucky day.{{Citation needed|date=November 2011}} Weddings are best avoided. Some Shinto shrines close their offices on this day.大安}}| Taian| The most lucky day. Good day for weddings and events like shop openings.赤口}}| ShakkōJapanese clock>hour of the horse (11 am to 1 pm) is lucky. The rest is bad luck.The rokuyō days are easily calculated from the Japanese lunisolar calendar. The first day of the first month is always senshō, with the days following in the order given above until the end of the month. Thus, the 2nd day is tomobiki, the 3rd is senbu, and so on. The 1st day of the 2nd month restarts the sequence at tomobiki. The 3rd month restarts at senbu, and so on for each month. The latter six months repeat the patterns of the first six, so the 1st of the 7th is senshō, the 1st of the 12th is shakkō and the moon-viewing day on the 15th of the 8th is always butsumetsu. This system did not become popular in Japan until the end of the Edo period.

National Holidays

File:Koinobori4797.jpg|thumb|right|Koinobori, flags decorated like koikoiAfter World War II, the names of Japanese national holidays were completely changed because of the secular state principle (Article 20, The Constitution of Japan). Although many of them actually originated from Shinto, Buddhism and important events relating to the Japanese imperial family, it is not easy to understand the original meanings from the superficial and vague official names.Notes: Single days between two national holidays are taken as a bank holiday. This applies to May 4, which is a holiday each year. When a national holiday falls on a Sunday the next day that is not a holiday (usually a Monday) is taken as a holiday.{| class=wikitable|+ Japanese national holidays! Date !! English name !! Official name !! RomanizationJapanese New Year>New Year’s Day {{nihongo2| GanjitsuComing of Age Day >成人の日}} Seijin no hiNational Foundation Day (Japan)>National Foundation Day† {{nihongo2| Kenkoku kinen no hi |February 23|The Emperor’s Birthday天皇誕生日}}|Tennō tanjōbiVernal Equinox Day >春分の日}} Shunbun no hiShōwa Day* >昭和の日}} Shōwa no hiConstitution Memorial Day* >憲法記念日}} Kenpō kinenbiGreenery Day* >みどりの日}} Midori no hiChildren’s Day (Japan)>Children’s Day* {{nihongo2| Kodomo no hiMarine Day >海の日}} Umi no hiMountain Day >山の日}} Yama no hiRespect for the Aged Day >敬老の日}} Keirō no hiAutumnal Equinox Day >秋分の日}} ShÅ«bun no hiSports Day (Japan)>Sports Day {{nihongo2| Supōtsu no HiCulture Day >文化の日}} Bunka no hiLabour Thanksgiving Day >勤労感謝の日}} Kinrō kansha no hi

Timeline of Creation of and Changes to National Holidays

{{update section|date=January 2023}}

• 1948: The following national holidays were introduced in the {{nihongo|Public Holiday Law|国民の祝日に関する法律|Kokumin no Shukujitsu ni Kansuru Hōritsu|lit. “An Act on public holidays”; Act No. 178 of 1948}}: New Year’s Day, Coming-of-Age Day, Constitution Memorial Day, Children’s Day, Autumnal Equinox Day, Culture Day, and Labor Thanksgiving Day.WEB,elaws-e--gov-go-jp.translate.goog/document?lawid=323AC1000000178_20200101_430AC0000000057&keyword=%E5%9B%BD%E6%B0%91%E3%81%AE%E7%A5%9D%E6%97%A5%E3%81%AB%E9%96%A2%E3%81%99%E3%82%8B%E6%B3%95%E5%BE%8B&_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp, 国民の祝日に関する法律 &124; e-Gov法令検索, elaws-e--gov-go-jp.translate.goog, March 8, 2023,
• 1966: A supplementary provision to create Health and Sports Day was introduced in memory of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Vernal Equinox Day, National Foundation Day and Respect for the Aged Day were also introduced.
• 1985: Reform to the national holiday law made days like May 4, sandwiched between two other national holidays, a {{Nihongo|generic national holiday|国民の休日|kokumin no kyÅ«jitsu}}.
• 1989: After the Shōwa Emperor died on January 7, his birthday, April 29, was renamed Greenery Day and The Emperor’s Birthday (observed as a national holiday since 1868) moved to December 23 for the succeeding Akihito.
• 1995: Reform to the national holiday law added Marine Day, to be celebrated July 20.
• 2000, 2003: {{nihongo|Happy Monday System|ハッピーマンデー制度|HappÄ« MandÄ“ Seido}} moved several holidays to Monday. Starting with 2000: Coming-of-Age Day (formerly January 15, now the second Monday in January) and Health and Sports Day (formerly October 10, now the second Monday in October).WEB,www2s.biglobe.ne.jp/~law/law/ldb/H10H0141.htm, 国民の祝日に関する法律の一部を改正する法律（平成１０年法律第１４１号）／網際情報館, Starting with 2003: Marine Day (formerly July 20, now the third Monday in July) and Respect for the Aged Day (formerly September 15, now the third Monday in September).WEB,www2s.biglobe.ne.jp/~law/law/ldb/H13H0059.htm, 国民の祝日に関する法律及び老人福祉法の一部を改正する法律（平成１３年法律第５９号）／網際情報館,
• 2005, 2007: April 29 was renamed Shōwa Day, and May 4, previously a {{Nihongo|generic national holiday|国民の休日|kokumin no kyÅ«jitsu}}, became the new Greenery Day.WEB,publicholidays.jp/emperors-birthday/, The Emperor’s Birthday 2023, 2024 and 2025,
• 2014: Mountain Day was established as a new holiday, to be observed starting 2016WEB,www.loc.gov/item/global-legal-monitor/2014-07-15/japan-16th-national-holiday-added/, Japan: 16th National Holiday Added, Library of Congress, WEB,www.asahi.com/articles/TKY201311220056.html, Asahi, February 8, 2023, December 9, 2013,www.asahi.com/articles/TKY201311220056.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20131209043848www.asahi.com/articles/TKY201311220056.html,">web.archive.org/web/20131209043848www.asahi.com/articles/TKY201311220056.html, dead,
• 2019: Akihito’s birthday is December 23; however, he abdicated April 30, 2019, in favor of his son Naruhito, which moved the “Emperor’s Birthday” holiday to February 23. Because the transition happened before Akihito’s birthday but after Naruhito’s, the “Emperor’s Birthday” holiday was not celebrated that year.WEB,www-nikkei-com.translate.goog/article/DGXMZO26424440R00C18A2PP8000/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp, 初めて天皇誕生日なし 政府が19年の祝日発表, February 2018,
• 2020: The speech given by Naruhito during the New Year was the first given since 2017, when Akihito halted the practice to reduce his workload.NEWS,www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/japans-emperor-gives-first-public-new-years-greeting-since-2020-2023-01-02/, Japan’s emperor gives first public New Year’s greeting since 2020, Reuters, January 2, 2023, WEB,apnews.com/article/japan-coronavirus-pandemic-naruhito-tokyo-db55a819cba38424c1473c72bc9c408f, Japan’s emperor acknowledges virus hardship in video message, Associated Press, January 2021,
• 2021, 2022: Because of the COVID-19 crisis, Naruhito’s New Year’s greetings were delivered via a televised speech instead of in-person.WEB,www.kunaicho.go.jp/e-about/kyuchu/shukuga01.html/, Imperial Household Agency, February 8, 2023, February 8, 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230208231654/https://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e-about/kyuchu/shukuga01.html, dead, NEWS,www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/his-birthday-japanese-emperor-hopes-bright-future-amid-pandemic-2021-02-23/, On his birthday, Japanese Emperor hopes for bright future amid pandemic, Reuters, February 23, 2021, WEB,www.cnn.com/2023/01/02/asia/japan-emperor-naruhito-new-year-address-intl-hnk/index.html, Japan’s emperor wishes for ‘peaceful’ 2023 in first live New Year address since pandemic began, CNN, January 2, 2023, WEB,www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14076898, Emperor delivers 1st video message to rally people’s hopes in crisis &124; the Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis,
• 2023: The imperial family’s New Year’s greetings were held publicly for the first time in three years.WEB,www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14806461, Emperor, family greet New Year crowds for 1st time since 2020 &124; the Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis, The Emperor’s Birthday on February 23 will also be the first time public celebrations will be held for the occasion since Naruhito’s ascension in 2019.WEB,www.nippon.com/en/news/yjj2022121900007/?cx_recs_click=true/, Japan Emperor’s Birthday Greeting Event to Resume, December 19, 2022, The latter events in 2020, 2021 and 2022 had all been cancelled due to concerns over COVID-19.WEB,www.kunaicho.go.jp/e-about/kyuchu/shukuga02.html, His Majesty’s Birthday Receptions - the Imperial Household Agency, WEB,www.nippon.com/en/news/yjj2022121900007/?cx_recs_click=true, Japan Emperor’s Birthday Greeting Event to Resume, December 19, 2022,

Seasonal Festivals

The following are known as the five seasonal festivals ({{nihongo2|節句}} sekku, also {{nihongo2|五節句}} gosekku). The sekku were made official holidays during Edo period on Chinese lunisolar calendar. The dates of these festivals are confused nowadays; some on the Gregorian calendar, others on ”Tsuki-okure”.

1. 7th day of the 1st month: {{nihongo2|人日}} (Jinjitsu), {{nihongo2|七草の節句}} (Nanakusa no sekku) held on 7 January
2. 3rd day of the 3rd month: {{nihongo2|上巳}} (Jōshi), {{nihongo2|桃の節句}} (Momo no sekku) held on 3 March in many areas, but in some area on 3 April
   • {{nihongo2|雛祭り}} (Hina matsuri), Girls’ Day.
3. 5th day of the 5th month: Tango ({{nihongo2|端午}}): mostly held on 5 May
   • {{nihongo2|端午の節句}} (Tango no sekku), {{nihongo2|菖蒲の節句}} (Ayame no sekku)
   • Boys’ Day. Overlaps with the national holiday Children’s Day.
4. 7th day of the 7th month: {{nihongo2|七夕}} (Shichiseki, Tanabata), {{nihongo2|星祭り}} (Hoshi matsuri ) held on 7 July in many areas, but in northern Japan held on 7 August (e.g. in Sendai)
5. 9th day of the 9th month: {{nihongo2|重陽}} (Chōyō), {{nihongo2|菊の節句}} (Kiku no sekku) almost out of vogue today

Not sekku:

• January 1: Japanese New Year
• August 15: Obon – the date is ”Tsuki-okure”. In central Tokyo Obon is held on July 15 (The local culture of Tokyo tends to dislike Tsuki-okure custom.{{citation needed|date=January 2013}})
• December 31: ÅŒmisoka

Customary issues in modern Japan

Gregorian months and the “One-Month Delay”

In contrast to other East Asian countries such as China, Vietnam, Korea and Mongolia, Japan has almost completely forgotten the Chinese calendar. Since 1876, January has been officially regarded as the “first month” even when setting the date of Japanese traditional folklore events (other months are the same: February as the second month, March as the third, and so on). But this system often brings a strong seasonal sense of gap since the event is 3 to 7 weeks earlier than in the traditional calendar. Modern Japanese culture has invented a kind of “compromised” way of setting dates for festivals called Tsuki-okure (“One-Month Delay“) or ChÅ«reki (“The Eclectic Calendar“).The festival is celebrated just one solar calendar month later than the date on the Gregorian calendar. For example, the Buddhist festival of Obon was the 15th day of the 7th month. In many places the religious services are held on 15 July. However, in some areas, the rites are normally held on 15 August, which is more seasonally close to the old calendar. (The general term “Obon holiday” always refers to the middle of August.) Although this is just de facto and customary, it is broadly used when setting the dates of many folklore events and religious festivals. But Japanese New Year is the great exception. The date of Japanese New Year is always 1 January.

See also

• East Asian age reckoning
• Jikkan JÅ«nishi
• List of kigo
• Japanese festivals

References

{{Reflist|33em}}

External links

• Rokuyo – Lucky and Unlucky Days of the Japanese Calendar in Japanese
• National Diet Library, “The Japanese Calendar”
• www2.gol.com/users/stever/calendar.htm" title="web.archive.org/web/20070402230356www2.gol.com/users/stever/calendar.htm">The Lunar Calendar in Japan

{{Japanese calendars}}{{calendars}}{{Authority control}}