Taking a Peek at Golden Week

Last week, most students in England went back to school/university after their Easter holidays. I unfortunately missed out on this two week break, but instead have been granted Japan's springtime equivalent - Golden Week. This 9 day period that was introduced in 1948 grants not only students but many workers the opportunity to travel, spend time with friends and family and partake in activities such as picnics or a spot of tourism. It falls during the end of April and beginning of May, and encompasses a total of four national holidays; Shōwa Day, Constitution Memorial Day, Greenery Day and Children's Day. Here is a bit of insight into these four days:
29th April - Shōwa Day
Originally a day to celebrate the birthday of Emperor Hirohito who reigned from 1926-1989, but after his death in 1989, it was renamed Greenery Day because of his love of nature. In 2007, it was eventually named Shōwa Day to celebrate both the late emperor and the work put into rebuilding the county as well as the drastic social, economic and political improvements that followed during the post-war period. As a result, Greenery Day was moved to 4th May.

 3rd May - Constitution Memorial Day
As it's name suggests, this day celebrates the introductions of The Constitution of Japan in 1947. Drastically different from the Meiji constitution it replaced, this declared Japan a sovereign state; separating government from monarchy and, as a result, changing the emperor's role as a political and God-like figure to one of a social representative (much like our Queen Liz). Modelled on the British and American constitutions, this declaration renounced war and gave basic human rights to all it's citizens. It also declared in Article 18 that "No person shall be held in bondage of any kind." which seems a bit personal to me, but who am I to judge?

4th May - Greenery Day
Originally simply a citizen's holiday under a law that declares any day that falls in between two national holidays a national holiday itself, the 4th May was designated Greenery day after Shōwa Day was reinstated in 2007. This day is an opportunity for everyone to appreciate nature and is celebrated by the Emperor and his wife the Empress planting a tree and some seeds.

5th May - Children's Day
Originally known as Boy's Day (with Girl's Day being celebrated on 3rd March), Children's Day is celebrated with the hanging of carp steamers and the displaying of samurai dolls to help ensure the success and strength of the sons of Japan. This is because it is believed that carp swim upstream and eventually become dragons. Talk about goals. It has since been set as a day to celebrate all children, as well as recognising mothers, because girls can become dragons too!


Should any of these days fall on a Sunday, the citizens of Japan are given a compensation day, which is usually either on 30th April or 6th May. This happened most recently in 2015 when Constitution Memorial Day fell on a Sunday.

I hope you all enjoyed this cultural lesson; stay tuned for what I actually get up to this coming week. See you soon!

References:
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Images taken from:
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