Japan celebrates its National Foundation Day, also known as Kenkoku Kinen no Hi (建国記念の日) this February 11, 2022 to commemorate the ascension of Emperor Jimmu to the throne and being the first Emperor of Japan in 660BC (National Foundation Day, 2013).

History and Celebrations

National Foundation Day in Japan is also called ‘Kenkoku Kinen no Hi.’ Wherein, Kenkoku（建国）means “founding of a nation” and kinen（記念）means “commemoration.” The ascension of Emperor Jimmu had a huge impact on Japan’s growth as a nation, thus, it was marked as the Foundation Day of Japan and was created as a holiday in 1872, during the Meiji Era (Motto Japan Group, 2020).

It was originally called ‘Empire Day’ and was celebrated on the 29th of January. Although it was overshadowed by the celebrations for the Lunar New Year as it was celebrated on the same day. Thus, the date of the celebration was moved to February 11 in 1873, during the Meiji Period, when the country switched from using the Chinese lunisolar calendar to using the Gregorian calendar. The celebration was then abolished after World War II due to its reinforcement of the idea of the Japanese nobility. It was later reintroduced in Japan as ‘National Foundation Day’ through a Cabinet Order that was set in 1966. It was then made into a holiday for citizens to express their patriotism publicly (Holidays Calendar, n.d.).

During its National Foundation Day, people pay respects and participate in parades. Usually there is a National Foundation Day parade in Tokyo, with patriots waving flags and carrying portable shrines. People also visit the Kashihara Shrine in Nara Prefecture, which is believed to be where Emperor Jimmu ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne in 660 BC. (Motto Japan Group, 2020).

2022 Celebrations

One of the celebrations to commemorate Japan’s National Foundation Day, which is Kashigara Jingu Shrine’s Kigensai Festival, has been officially canceled for the 2022 celebrations. Hence, only priests, staff, and representatives are allowed access to the rituals in the shrine (Tao, 2022).

Photo Source: Tao, T. (2022, February 8). National Foundation Day in Japan 2022. Guidable. https://guidable.co/culture/national-foundation-day-japan/

References:

  • Holidays Calendar. (n.d.). National Foundation Day. Holidays Calendar. Retrieved February 8, 2022, from https://www.holidayscalendar.com/event/national-foundation-day/
  • Motto Japan Group. (2020, April 14). Major holidays and celebrations in Japan. Motto Japan Media. https://motto-jp.com/media/lifestyle/major-holidays-and-celebrations-in-japan/
  • National Foundation Day. (2013, September 12). GaijinPot Study. https://study.gaijinpot.com/lesson/holidays/national-foundation-day/
  • Tao, T. (2022, February 8). National Foundation Day in Japan 2022. Guidable. https://guidable.co/culture/national-foundation-day-japan/