Fumizuki is the old Japanese name for the month of July. Its kanji characters (文月) literally mean "book month." There are several theories about the origins of this name. One is that fumizuki is a shortened form of hofumizuki, which refers to the time when rice becomes ready for harvest. Another possible explanation is that it's short for fumihirakizuki, which means to hope for an improvement in one's calligraphy skills. Tanabata - the major holiday during fumizuki - is a time to pray specifically for improvement in calligraphy. The modern Japanese name for the month of July is shichigatsu (七月).
The only official holiday in July is Marine Day, celebrated on the third Monday of the month. It is Japan's newest national holiday (first observed in 1996), and commemorates the return of Emperor Meiji to Yokohama port from a boat trip to Hokkaido in 1876. A more traditional celebration is Tanabata, observed on July 7th. According to legend, a cattleherd named Hikoboshi and a weaver named Orihime are allowed to meet just once a year: on the 7th day of the 7th month. They are represented by the stars Altair and Vega, which come together from across the Milky Way. One popular custom on Tanabata is to write one's deepest wish on a piece of paper and hang it on a bamboo tree (hence the emphasis on calligraphy).
Traditional Annual Events & Festivals in the month of July are as follows:
July 1 - 15
Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival
A resplendent and gallant summer festival with men racing through the streets while bearing 1-ton floats on their shoulders.
July 7 (and also on August 7)
Tanabata (Star festival)
Takes place on the 7th day of the 7th month of the year, when, according to a Chinese legend, the two stars Altair and Vega, which are usually separated from each other by the milky way, are able to meet. Because the 7th month of the year roughly coincides with August rather than July according to the formerly used lunar calendar, Tanabata is still celebrated on August 7th in some regions of Japan, while it is celebrated on July 7th in other regions.
July 13-15
O-Bon (Lantern Festival)
July 14
Nachi-no-Hi-Matsuri
This is one of the three largest fire festivals of Japan, is staged in the Kumano mountains of Wakayama Prefecture, an area registered as a World Heritage Site.
Third Monday of July (National Holiday)
Ocean Day (umi no hi)
A recently introduced national holiday to celebrate the ocean. The day marks the return of Emperor Meiji from a boat trip to Hokkaido in 1876.
July 1 -29
Gion Matsuri
Gorgeous floats, sometimes called 'mobile art museums,' parade down the main streets of Kyoto.
July 22- 24
Warei Taisai Festival & Uwajima Ushi-Oni Matsuri
Youths carry portable shrines in the river waters at night and monster-shaped floats parade through the town streets.
July 23 -25
Soma-Nomaoi (Wild Horse Racing)
A 1,000-year-old traditional festival which introduces the code of the samurai of the Warring States Period to the present day.
July 24 - 25
Tenjin Matsuri
Come and experience the spirit of people born and bred in Osaka, maintaining traditions of 1,000 years ago.
Late July / Early August
Miyajima Kangensai Festival
Medieval nobles' style of entertainment reproduced at Itsukushima Shrine, which is one of the three scenic beauties of Japan.
Last Saturday of July
Schedule for 2011 will be August 27 (Sat.)
(held in case of light rain but postponed if the weather is bad)
Sumidagawa Hanabi Taikai (Sumida River Fireworks Display)
The evening sky of oldtown Tokyo is brightly colored with several tens of thousands of fireworks.
Source: Facebook, Visit Japan
No comments:
Post a Comment