Culture Day (文化の日, Bunka no Hi) is a public holiday in Japan held annually on November 3 to promote culture, the arts, and academic endeavour. Festivities typically include art exhibitions, parades, and award ceremonies for distinguished artists and scholars.
| Culture Day | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Culture Day dancers in Nagoya | |
| Official name | 文化の日 (Bunka no Hi) |
| Observed by | Japan |
| Type | Public |
| Significance | Promotes culture, the arts, and academic endeavour |
| Celebrations | art exhibitions, parades, and award ceremonies for distinguished artists and scholars. |
| Date | November 3 |
| Frequency | Annual |
History
editCulture Day was first held in 1948 to commemorate the announcement of the post-war Japanese constitution on November 3, 1946.[1]
November 3 was first celebrated as a national holiday in 1868 when it was called Tenchō-setsu (天長節), a holiday held in honour of the birthday of the reigning Emperor—at that time, Emperor Meiji (see also The Emperor's Birthday). Following Meiji's death in 1912, November 3 ceased to be a holiday until 1927, when his birthday was given its specific holiday, known as Meiji-setsu (明治節). This was subsequently discontinued with the announcement of Culture Day in 1948.[1]
There have been several meetings in the National Diet held in attempts to rename the holiday to "Meiji Day" (Meiji no Hi (明治の日)), spearheaded by the Meiji Day Promotion Council (Meiji no Hi Suishin Kyougikai (明治の日推進協議会)), with the first being held on March 6, 2012, and attended by 18 members of parliament.[2] One such meeting was held on November 1, 2016, and was attended by 13 members of parliament, including Tomomi Inada, Keiji Furuya, Eiichiro Washio, and Takeshi Noma.[3] In April 2022, an all-party parliamentary group supportive of renaming Culture Day and headed by Keiji Furuya numbered 92 members of parliament[4], with members from the LDP, CDP, Nippon Ishin no Kai, and Democratic Party For the People.
Current practice
editAs Culture Day exists to promote the arts and various fields of academic endeavour, local and prefectural governments typically choose this day to hold art exhibits, culture festivals, and parades. For example, Hakone in Kanagawa Prefecture holds the annual Feudal Lord's Parade (箱根大名行列, Hakone Daimyō Gyōretsu) to exhibit Edo period clothing and costumes.[5] Primary and secondary schools often have a "culture festival" on or near this day.[6]
Since 1936, the award ceremony for the Order of Culture has been held on this day.[7] Given by the Emperor himself to those who have significantly advanced science, the arts or culture, it is one of the highest honours bestowed by the Imperial Family. The prize is not restricted to Japanese citizens. For instance, it was awarded to the Apollo 11 astronauts upon their successful return from the Moon, as well as literary scholar Donald Keene.[8]
Events
edit- The Order of Culture is held at the Tokyo Imperial Palace.
- The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force will decorate the self-defense ships moored at bases and general ports.
- An art festival sponsored by the Agency for Cultural Affairs is held around Culture Day.
- Some museums and galleries offer free admission and various events.
- The All Japan Kendo Championship, held at the Nippon Budokan, is broadcast live on NHK General TV.
In addition, this day is considered a "sunny day" with a high probability of sunny weather. It is statistically one of the clearest days of the year. Between 1965 and 1996, there were only three years where it rained in Tokyo on Culture Day.[9]
References
edit- ^ a b "November 3, Culture day 文化の日 (Bunka no hi) Japan". Jappleng University. November 5, 2014. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
- ^ "明治の日推進協議会とは／本協議会沿革". 明治の日推進協議会. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
- ^ 奥原, 慎平 (November 1, 2016). "「明治の日」集会で露見した民進党のバラバラ感 自民・古屋圭司氏が民進・鷲尾英一郎氏にチクリと放った一言とは…". Sankei Shimbun. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
- ^ "「明治の日」へ超党派議連 11月3日、法改正目指す". 共同通信. 一般社団法人共同通信社. April 7, 2022. Archived from the original on April 7, 2022. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
- ^ GoJapan: Japanese Autumn Holidays Archived April 15, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, Retrieved November 17, 2005
- ^ "School life 学校生活". A Taste of Languages at School (ATLAS). University College London. Retrieved November 2, 2011.
- ^ "Decoration Bureau". Cabinet Office, Government of Japan. Archived from the original on August 9, 2011. Retrieved November 2, 2011.
- ^ "Literary Scholar Donald Keene Awarded the Order of Culture". Japan Info. 16. Consulate-General of Japan in New York. November 2008. Retrieved November 2, 2011.
- ^ Kids Web Japan: Culture Day Archived June 14, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, Retrieved November 17, 2005