Japanese Holidays - Autumnal Equinox (秋分の日)
September 23rd: 秋分の日 (Autumnal Equinox)
September 23rd in Japan is Shuubun-no-hi (Autumnal Equinox).
In Japanese custom, a seven-day period called higan occurs during the time frame of the autumnal and vernal equinoxes (three days before and after the equinox). In Buddhist context, higan means the “other side of the river of death” the place where those who have passed away dwell. During this time, people visit their family graves praying their respects by cleaning the gravestones with water and brush, offering food and flowers, and praying.
In Japanese custom, a seven-day period called higan occurs during the time frame of the autumnal and vernal equinoxes (three days before and after the equinox). In Buddhist context, higan means the “other side of the river of death” the place where those who have passed away dwell. During this time, people visit their family graves praying their respects by cleaning the gravestones with water and brush, offering food and flowers, and praying.
The
national holiday was established in 1948, but previously it was a day to
venerate the deceased imperial line in a festival known as Shūki kōrei-sai (秋季皇霊祭). Kōrei-saishi
means
“veneration of the imperial spirits” and the rites are performed by the
imperial family inside the Hall of Imperial Ancestral Spirits in the Imperial
Palace. Before the Meiji Restoration, the Imperial family started to gain more
and more popularity, and Imperial tombs in decay were repaired and became
vehicles for a more spiritualized connection with the nation-state. When Japan
instated the solar calendar, Shūki
kōrei-sai was added to the Kōrei-saishi,
a part of the Ordinance of Imperial House Rites. These rites were later
terminated in 1947.
For
more information on Shūki
kōrei-sai visit:
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