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Home , Constitution of Japan, Flag of Japan, Franz Eckert, Gagaku, Greenery Day, Kimigayo

For more detailed information on Japanese policy and other such matters, see the following home pages. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Website http://www.mofa.go.jp/ Web http://web-japan.org/ AND ANTHEM Modern symbols with historical roots Japan’s national flag is the Hinomaru, and its is “.”

Hinomaru The National Flag The vertical-to-horizontal ratio of the flag is set at 2:3; the disc is placed at the exact center; The Red Circle Symbolizes and the diameter of the disc is equal to three- the Sun fifths of the vertical The national is called measurement. the Hinomaru. Its name comes from the Japanese word hinomaru, which literally means “sun circle.” It is not certain just when the sun-circle symbol was first used on flags and banners. However, in the 12th century warriors (bushi) appeared, and during the struggle for power between the Minamoto and Taira clans, bushi were fond of drawing sun circles on folding fans known as gunsen. In the Warring States period of the 15th and 16th centuries, when various figures vied for spheres of influence, hinomaru were widely displayed as military insignia. One screen painting depicting the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 shows a military force whose many banners all share the hinomaru motif. Although a red circle on a white background was the most common, there were also examples of gold circles on a deep blue background.

Sun-Circle Flags on Boats Carrying the Shogun The use of a hinomaru as the symbol of the country as a whole dates from its use, by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in the late 16th the symbol of a ship carrying the shogun. Design motif The hinomaru ("sun century and in the early During the period of sakoku, or “national circle") symbol was 17th century, on the flags of trading ships seclusion” (1639–1854), trade and other featured on the uniforms of the Japanese women's sent abroad. A screen with scenes from relations with all foreign countries except hockey team at the the 17th-century city of (present-day , , and Holland were prohibited, Nagano Winter Olympic Games in 1998. Tokyo) shows a hinomaru flag being used as but when the began © Kodansha

NATIONAL FLAG AND ANTHEM 1 to trade with other countries (including Warrior banners Sun symbols (hinomaru) the and Russia) after 1854, can be seen on the war Japanese trading ships again began to use a flags (nobori) pictured in this segment of a screen hinomaru flag. painting depicting the The Tokugawa shogunate in 1854 Battle of Nagashino in 1575. accepted a proposal by Shimazu Nariakira The Battle of Nagashino, of the , and it was decided six-paneled folding screen, Tresures from Tokugawa Art that Japanese ships, so as not to be mistaken Museum for foreign vessels, would use a “hinomaru © Tokugawa Art Museum banner with a white background.” A hinomaru flag was displayed on the Kanrin maru, the official ship bearing Japanese officials sent to the United States in 1860.

The Hinomaru as the Flag of anthem “Kimigayo” in the Diet during the Modern Japan deliberation of a bill to codify the country’s In 1868, the government was national flag and anthem. At the plenary established after the Tokugawa family lost session of the House of Representatives political power. According to Proclamation of the Diet held on June 29, 1999, Prime No. 57 issued by the Grand Council of Minister Obuchi explained as follows: “Kimi (Dajokan) on January 27, 1870, the Hinomaru in ‘Kimigayo’, under the current was officially made the flag of Japan for use of Japan, indicates the Emperor, who is the on commercial vessels. symbol of the State and of the unity of the The Hinomaru was first used on the people, deriving his position from the will grounds of government buildings in 1872, of the people with whom resides sovereign the year before the lunar calendar was power; ‘Kimigayo’ as a whole depicts the officially replaced by the solar calendar. At state of being of our country, which has the that time many ordinary families and non- Emperor—deriving his position from the will governmental establishments also expressed of the people with whom resides sovereign the desire to display the Hinomaru on power—as the symbol of itself and of the holidays. In subsequent years, a number of unity of the people; and it is appropriate to notifications and documents were publicly interpret the words of the anthem as praying issued which reinforced the Hinomaru’s for the lasting prosperity and peace of our status as the flag symbolizing Japan. country.” It is not known who first wrote the words The National Anthem of the anthem. Although they are found in a poem contained in two anthologies of Japanese 31-syllable , namely, The Words of“Kimigayo” the 10th-century Kokin wakashu and the The words of Japan’s national anthem, 11th-century Wakan roeishu, the name of the “Kimigayo,” are taken from an ancient poem‘s author is unknown. poem. In Japanese, the words are as follows: From very early times, the poem was recited to commemorate auspicious Kimigayo wa occasions and at banquets celebrating Chiyo ni yachiyo ni important events. The words were often Sazare-ishi no put to with melodies typical of such Iwao to narite vocal styles as yokyoku (sung portions of Koke no musu made performances), kouta (popular with accompaniment), joruri The government presented its (dramatic narrative chanting with shamisen interpretation of the meaning of the accompaniment), saireika (festival songs), and

NATIONAL FLAG AND ANTHEM 2 biwauta (songs with accompaniment). The words were also used in fairy tales and other stories and even appeared in the Edo- period popular fiction known as ukiyo-zoshi and in collections of humorous kyoka (mad verse).

Imperial greeting The Music of“Kimigayo” performed, with the accompaniment of brass Visitors wave the Hinomaru When the Meiji period began in 1868 and instruments, during an army parade in 1870, as they are greeted by imperial family members Japan made its start as a modern nation, but it was later considered to be lacking in when the inner grounds there was not yet anything called a “national solemnity, and it was agreed that a revision of the imperial palace are anthem.” was needed. opened to the public on January 2 every year. In 1869 the British military In 1876, Nakamura Suketsune, the © instructor John William Fenton, who was director of the Naval Band, submitted to then working in , learned that the Navy Ministry a proposal for changing Japan lacked a national anthem and told the music, and on the basis of his proposal the members of Japan’s military band about it was decided that the new melody the British national anthem “God Save the should reflect the style used in musical King.” Fenton emphasized the necessity of chants performed at the imperial court. In a national anthem and proposed that he July 1880, four persons were named to a would compose the music if someone would committee to revise the music. They were provide the words. Naval Band director Nakamura Suketsune; The band members, after consulting with Army Band director Yotsumoto Yoshitoyo; their director, requested Artillery Captain the court director of (Japanese court Oyama Iwao (1842–1916) from present- music) performances, Hayashi Hiromori; and day , who was well a German instructor under contract with the versed in Japanese and Chinese history and navy, . literature, to select appropriate words for Finally a melody produced by Hayashi such an anthem. (Oyama later became Army Hiromori was selected on the basis of the Minister and a Field Marshal.) traditional scale used in gagaku. Eckert made Fenton put his own music to the a four-part vocal , and the new “Kimigayo” words selected by Oyama national anthem was first performed in from a biwauta titled Horaisan, and the the imperial palace on the Meiji Emperor’s first “Kimigayo” anthem was the result. birthday, November 3, 1880. This was the The melody was, however, completely beginning of the “Kimigayo” national different from the one known today. It was anthem we know today. “ Kimigayo” Words: Old poem (anonymous) Music: Hayashi Hiromori

ki mi ga –yo–wa chi yo ni ––ya chi yo ni sa za re i shi no

iwaoto na ri te ko ke no mu ––su –mad– e

NATIONAL FLAG AND ANTHEM 3 Box lunch The hinomaru box lunch () consists of a red pickled plum The Hinomaru and“Kimigayo” Showa Day (Showa no Hi) April 29 (umeboshi) centered on in Contemporary Japan This is a day to reflect upon the turbulent days a bed of white rice. © Kodansha and subsequent recovery of the Showa Period Today the Hinomaru and “Kimigayo” are (1926—89) and to think about the future of Japan. displayed and performed during ceremonies It is the birthday of the late Emperor Showa. on national holidays, during other public observances on auspicious occasions, and (Kenpo Kinenbi) in ceremonies to welcome state guests from This holiday commemorates the entering into effect abroad. of the in 1947. In addition, many Japanese citizens (Midori no Hi) May 4 display the Hinomaru outside their front This is a day to enjoy nature, to be thankful for doors on national holidays. The music of nature’s blessings, and to nurture a rich spirit. “Kimigayo” is performed also at non-official events, such as international sports events Children’s Day (Kodomo no Hi) May 5 where Japanese teams are represented. At This is a day to wish for the health and happiness of children. tournaments of sumo, which is considered by many to be Japan’s national sport, the (Umi no Hi) 3rd Monday in July national anthem is commonly performed This is a day to thank the sea for its blessings. prior to the award ceremony. Acknowledging that the wide usage of Respect-for-the-Aged Day (Keiro no Hi) the Hinomaru and “Kimigayo” has taken 3rd Monday in September This is a day to show respect to the elderly. hold as customary law, the government, on the eve of the 21st century, deemed it (Shubun no Hi) appropriate to give them a clear basis in around September 23 written law. A bill to codify the Hinomaru This is a day for family reunions and visits to family and “Kimigayo” as the national flag and graves. anthem was submitted to the Diet in June Sports Day (Taiiku no Hi) 1999. The Law Concerning the National Flag 2nd Monday in October and National Anthem was enacted by the Established in 1966 in commemoration of the Diet on August 9, 1999. opening of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, this is a day to promote health and physical fitness.

Japanese National Holidays (Bunka no Hi) November 3 This is a day on which the ideals of peace and New Year’s Day (Ganjitsu) January 1 freedom expressed in Japan’s Constitution Celebrates the beginning of the new year. (promulgated on November 3, 1946) are fostered through cultural activities. Coming-of-Age Day (Seijin no Hi) 2nd Monday in January (Kinro Kansha no Hi) This holiday honors young people who have November 23 reached the age of 20. This is a day to show appreciation for labor and to celebrate a good harvest. (Kenkoku Kinen no Hi) Emperor’s Birthday (Tenno Tanjobi) This holiday commemorates the start of the reign December 23 of Japan’s legendary first emperor, Jimmu. On this day, in 1933, Emperor was born.

Vernal Equinox Day (Shunbun no Hi) around March 21 This is a day for family reunions and visits to family graves.

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