Japan Holidays - National Foundation Day (Kenkokukinen-nohi, National Foundation Day)

At the beginning of February, Japan celebrates State Founding Day This holiday was declared in 1872 by Emperor Meiji (1852-1912) At the age of seventeen he became the first ruler of the restoration era For several centuries, Japanese emperors lived in Kyoto, practically removed from power by the hereditary shogunate The monarchy was representative in nature, and the country was ruled by a large feudal warlord supported by a clan of relatives In the history of Japan, three shogunates are known, lasting from 1192 to 1867 with short intervals Periodically, the emperors tried to regain full power over the country, but only in 1868 this attempt was crowned with success It was no coincidence that Meiji chose February 11, because according to legend, it was on this date in 660 that the legendary ancestor of the emperors, Jimmu, ascended the throne Jimmu was a descendant of the gods and descended from the main deity of the Shinto pantheon, Amaterasu Omikami Jimmu united the disparate pieces of Japan and founded the first state entity There are legends and tales about Jimmu; he is considered the second-ranking deity; many temples where Shintoists pray were built in his honor By showing the continuity of the dynasty of the emperors of the chrysanthemum throne, Meiji, first of all, emphasized the legitimacy of his power and restored the divine cult of the emperor According to Shinto, the country's main religion, the emperor is the descendant of the major gods, and the rest of the Japanese are descended from lower-ranking gods called kami Those who died in war For their country, To live forever, Let me write down your names For the future The holiday did not immediately catch on, partly because before the adoption of the Gregorian calendar it fell on the Japanese New Year and in rural areas they tried to include local deities among the revered ones However, with the opening of schools in all, even the most remote areas of the country, and the implementation of the policy of exalting the god-emperor in them, the holiday became one of the most revered in the country By supporting good and stopping evil, Let's make this country no worse than other countries Meiji rule was characterized not only by universal education, but also by rapid economic and industrial growth Having received a country devastated by civil war with enslaving treaties imposed by Western countries, the emperor carried out reforms that in a short time allowed Japan to stand on a par with other world powers Now this day is not celebrated as brightly as before the Second World War The imperial family comes out with congratulations to the Japanese, national flags are hung in the streets, solemn processions and festivals are held Since this day of the calendar is red, many Japanese simply use it as a day off Tourists are very surprised that on this day neither banks nor shops are open in Japan