Japanese Festivals

Made By: thenerdylilazngirl<3

Japanese Celebrations

New Years Festival-January 1 The New Years Festival is ceclebrated on January 1. It's celebrated by families, the public and businesses. Three bamboo branches are put infront of the house and a rope strecthed across the gate. In the lounge, seaweed, rice cakes and dried sradines, and a lobster with evergreens are placed on a special stand. This is a day for visiting the local shrine and for calling on one's friends and relatives. Nowadays, it could be a day to sit infront of the TV because there are excellent programs that are broadcasted on this day. Hina Matsuri(Girl's Festival)- March 3 Hina Matsuri is a festival that is held for gir's on March 3. To wish for the girl's health and happiness, people display special hina dolls to celebrate the growth of the girls. Many kinds of shelf display for the hina dolls which includes, 1 layer, 2 layers, 3 layers, 4 layers, 5 layers, 6 layers, 7 layers or even 8 layers! Also, there are dazzling decoration around the dolls. Flowers of peach, rice cake called hishimochi, Japanese crackers called hinaarare, and so on. Flowers and rice cake are imitations. The food is very delectable!!! Boy's Day Festval- May 5 On May 5, Japanese boys have their day. Mounted on poles at nearly every house are brightly coloured carp shaped paper or cloth. They flutter in the wind like runaway air socks or like flags. DID YOU KNOW?? Five hundred years ago, to frighten away May insects, the Japanese people used the carp shaped paper or cloth for the insects to fly away. Gion Matsuri of Kyoto- July 17 On July 17, the city of Kyoto celebrates Gion Matsuri. With its picturesque temples, dazzling serene parks and lovely gardens of mosses and rock, erupts into a brilliant sight. The Gion Matsuri brings open freindliness, happiness, colour and music. On this spectacular day, old family houses and antique sotred open their doors, displaing their precious items and family heirlooms. Bon- August 13 to 15 Bon is celebrated on June 13-15. The purpose of the Bon or O-Bon festival originally was to do ritual dances and offer prayers in the Buddhist month. It's believed ghosts of the dead return to Earth on this day. Nowadays, it's a summer festival for dancing and lanterns. Floating lanterns on rivers and lakes guide the spirits guide them back to paradise or hell. Shichigosan- November 15 Shichigosan is celebrated on November 15. On this day, wearing their bet clothes, boys at the age of 5 and girls at the age of 3 to 7, visit temples and shrines with their parents. At the templles and shrines, they wish for good luck and for their health. Boys usually wear hakama which is a long pleated culotte. Girls wear a kimono- a traditional piece of clohing like a long coat, often worn on special occasions. Japanese Christmas- December 24&25 Japanese Christmas is celebrated on December 25 to 25. By exchanging christmas presents with family and friends or his or her lover and having a christmas dinner together, the Japanese people enjoy Christmas and Christmas Eve by doing these activites. Nowadays, more and more young couples go out and eat on Christmas Eve. Most bakeries sell christmas cakes for familes, having a small party at home.