Culture Day

Culture Day (文化の日, Bunka no Hi) is a national holiday held annually in Japan on November 3 for the purpose of promoting culture, the arts, and academic endeavor. Festivities typically include art exhibitions, parades, and award ceremonies for distinguished artists and scholars.

Culture Day
Culture Day dancers in Nagoya
Official nameBunka-no-hi (文化の日)
Observed byJapan
TypeNational
SignificancePromotes culture, the arts, and academic endeavour
DateNovember 3

History

Culture 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 honor 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 own specific holiday, known as Meiji-setsu (明治節). This was subsequently discontinued with the announcement of Culture Day in 1948.[1]

Current practice

As Culture Day exists to promote the arts and various fields of academic endeavor, 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.[2] It is common for universities to present new research and projects on Culture Day. Primary and secondary schools often have a "culture festival" on or near this day.[3]

Since 1936, the award ceremony for the prestigious Order of Culture has been held on this day.[4] 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, and for instance was awarded to the Apollo 11 astronauts upon their successful return from the moon, as well as literary scholar Donald Keene.[5]

Culture Day is statistically one of the clearest days of the year. Between 1965 and 1996, there have only been three years with rain occurring in Tokyo on Culture Day.[6]

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References
  1. "November 3, Culture day 文化の日 (Bunka no hi) Japan". Jappleng University. November 5, 2014. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
  2. GoJapan: Japanese Autumn Holidays, Retrieved November 17, 2005
  3. "School life 学校生活". A Taste of Languages at School (ATLAS). University College London. Retrieved November 2, 2011.
  4. "Decoration Bureau". Cabinet Office, Government of Japan. Archived from the original on August 9, 2011. Retrieved November 2, 2011.
  5. "Literary Scholar Donald Keene Awarded the Order of Culture". Japan Info. Consulate-General of Japan in New York. 16. November 2008. Retrieved November 2, 2011.
  6. Kids Web Japan: Culture Day Archived June 14, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, Retrieved November 17, 2005
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