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...
September 21st: 敬老の日 (Respect for the Aged Day) September 21st in Japan is Keiro-no-hi (Respect for the Aged Day). In 1947, a town called Nomatanimura in Hyogo Prefecture established September 15 as Old Folk’s...
September: 秋の七草 (Aki no Nana Kusa) This month’s word is Aki no Nana Kusa. Aki no Nana Kusa, or the Seven Autumnal Flowers, refer to Hagi (Bush Clover), Obana (Chinese Silvergrass), Kuzu (Japanese Arrowroot),...
August: 帰省（Kisei） This month’s word is Kisei. Kisei is a term that means homecoming; the event of someone returning to one’s home town after a long time away. More specifically, this term is normally...
July 20th: 海の日 (Marine Day) Umi no hi, or Marine Day, became a national holiday in Japan in 1996. Before 1996, it was originally known as Marine Memorial Day, which was established in 1941...
July 7th in Japan is Tanabata. Tanabata is known as the “Star Festival” and is typically held on July 7. It traces its roots to a Chinese legend where the star Altair and...
July: 風鈴 (Fuu-rin) This month’s word is Fuu-rin. Fuu-rin are wind-chimes that are hung outdoors and are traditionally hung during the summer. Although originally crafted from bronze, they have come to most commonly be...
June: 簾 (Sudare) This month’s word is Sudare. Sudare, or more honorifically, misu, are traditional blinds that are made of thinly shaved strips of wood or bamboo bound together with string, colored yarn, or...
May: 茶摘み (Chatsumi) This month’s word is Chatsumi/Tea-picking Green Tea is the main drink of Japanese people. Picking the young sprouts and leaves of the tea bush occurs over some three weeks from mid-April...
(Tamagawa University Dance Troupe) photo by Yuya Omori The 55th Sakrua Matsuri – Japanese Street Festival – Continuing US-Japan Friendship Presented Throughout the Day by Arisa Ishita This year’s Japanese Street Festival – Sakura...
