National Foundation Day

February 11th is National Foundation Day, a national holiday in Japan.  Let’s dive into the history behind this important day.  Like most Asian countries at the time, Japan was using a lunar-based calendar.  In 1873, Japan adopted the Gregorian calendar and began to reconfigure the new dates for important holidays.  

Among those important dates was the enthronement of Japan’s first emperor, Emperor Jimmu.  Based on the new calendar, the enthronement took place on February 11th.  This day was called Kigensetsu and was meant to inspire pride in Japanese citizens.  There were parades, competitions, and public displays.  

Kigensetsu was abandoned in 1948 but was reinstated as a new holiday in 1966.  February 11, 1967, was the first National Foundation Day.  At present, there are no widespread celebrations, however, it is a day for Japanese people to celebrate their nation and to rest as it is a public holiday.

Sources

https://web-japan.org/kidsweb/explore/calendar/february/kenkoku.html#:~:text=February%2011%20is%20National%20Foundation,their%20love%20for%20the%20nation.

https://jaswdc.org/japanese-holiday-national-foundation-day/