Web Japan http://web-japan.org/ NATIONAL FLAG, ANTHEM AND HOLIDAYS Modern symbols with historical roots Japan’s national flag is the Hinomaru, and its national anthem is “Kimigayo.” The National Flag The Red Circle Symbolizes the Sun The national flag of Japan is called 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 Hinomaru The vertical-to-horizontal ratio of the flag is set at samurai warriors (bushi) appeared, and 2:3; the disc is placed at the exact center; and the during the struggle for power between the diameter of the disc is equal to three-fifths of the Minamoto and Taira clans, bushi were fond of vertical measurement. drawing sun circles on folding fans known as gunsen. In the Warring States period of the (1639–1854), trade and other relations with all 15th and 16th centuries, when various military foreign countries except China, Korea, and figures vied for spheres of influence, Holland were prohibited, but when the hinomaru were widely displayed as military Tokugawa shogunate began to trade with insignia. One screen painting depicting the other countries (including the United States Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 shows a military and Russia) after 1854, Japanese trading force whose many banners all share the ships again began to use a hinomaru flag. hinomaru motif. Although a red circle on a The Tokugawa shogunate in 1854 white background was the most common, accepted a proposal by Shimazu Nariakira of there were also examples of gold circles on a the Satsuma domain, and it was decided that deep blue background. Japanese ships, so as not to be mistaken for foreign vessels, would use a “hinomaru Sun-Circle Flags on Boats Carrying the banner with a white background.” A hinomaru Shogun flag was displayed on the Kanrinmaru, the The use of a hinomaru as the symbol of the official ship bearing Japanese officials sent to country as a whole dates from its use, by the United States in 1860. Toyotomi Hideyoshi in the late 16th century and Tokugawa Ieyasu in the early 17th The Hinomaru as the Flag of Modern century, on the flags of trading ships sent Japan abroad. A screen with scenes from the 17th- In 1868, the Meiji government was century city of Edo (present-day Tokyo) established after the Tokugawa family lost shows a hinomaru flag being used as the political power. According to Proclamation No. symbol of a ship carrying the shogun. During 57 issued by the Grand Council of State the period of sakoku, or “national seclusion” (Dajokan) on January 27, 1870, the Hinomaru 1 NATIONAL FLAG AND ANTHEM was officially made the flag of Japan for use At the plenary session of the House of on commercial vessels. Representatives of the Diet held on June 29, The Hinomaru was first used on the 1999, Prime Minister Obuchi Keizo explained grounds of government buildings in 1872, the as follows: “Kimi” in ‘Kimigayo’, under the year before the lunar calendar was officially current Constitution of Japan, indicates the replaced by the solar calendar. At that time Emperor, who is the symbol of the State and many ordinary families and non-governmental of the unity of the people, deriving his position establishments also expressed the desire to from the will of the people with whom resides display the Hinomaru on national holidays. In sovereign power; ‘Kimigayo’ as a whole subsequent years, a number of notifications depicts the state of being of our country, and documents were publicly issued which which has the Emperor—deriving his position reinforced the Hinomaru’s status as the flag from the will of the people with whom resides symbolizing Japan. sovereign power—as the symbol of itself and of the unity of the people; and it is appropriate to interpret the words of the anthem as praying for the lasting prosperity and peace of The National Anthem our country.” It is not known who first wrote the words of the anthem. Although they are found in a The Words of “Kimigayo” poem contained in two anthologies of The words of Japan’s national anthem, Japanese 31-syllable waka, namely, the 10th- “Kimigayo,” are taken from an ancient poem. century Kokin wakashu and the 11th-century In Japanese, the words are as follows: Wakan roeishu, the name of the poem’s author is unknown. Kimigayo wa From very early times, the poem was Chiyo ni yachiyo ni recited to commemorate auspicious Sazare-ishi no occasions and at banquets celebrating Iwao to narite important events. The words were often put to Koke no musu made music with melodies typical of such vocal styles as yokyoku (sung portions of Noh The government presented its interpretation performances), kouta (popular songs with of the meaning of the anthem “Kimigayo” in shamisen accompaniment), joruri (dramatic the Diet during the deliberation of a bill to narrative chanting with shamisen codify the country’s national flag and anthem. accompaniment), saireika (festival songs), “Kimigayo” 2 NATIONAL FLAG AND ANTHEM and biwauta (songs with biwa music. They were Naval Band director accompaniment). The words were also used Nakamura Suketsune; Army Band director in fairy tales and other stories and even Yotsumoto Yoshitoyo; the court director of appeared in the Edo period popular fiction gagaku (Japanese court music) performances, known as ukiyo-zoshi and in collections of Hayashi Hiromori; and a German instructor humorous kyoka (mad verse). under contract with the navy, Franz Eckert. Finally a melody produced by Hayashi The Music of “Kimigayo” Hiromori was selected on the basis of the When the Meiji period began in 1868 and traditional scale used in gagaku. Eckert made Japan made its start as a modern nation, a four-part vocal arrangement, and the new there was not yet anything called a “national national anthem was first performed in the anthem.” imperial palace on the Meiji Emperor’s In 1869 the British military band instructor birthday, November 3, 1880. This was the John William Fenton, who was then working beginning of the “Kimigayo” national anthem in Yokohama, learned that Japan lacked a we know today. national anthem and told the members of Japan’s military band about the British national anthem “God Save the King.” Fenton The Hinomaru and emphasized the necessity of a national “Kimigayo” in anthem and proposed that he would compose the music if someone would provide the Contemporary Japan words. Today the Hinomaru and “Kimigayo” are The band members, after consulting with displayed and performed during ceremonies their director, requested Artillery Captain on national holidays, during other public Oyama Iwao (1842–1916) from present-day observances on auspicious occasions, and in Kagoshima Prefecture, who was well versed ceremonies to welcome state guests from in Japanese and Chinese history and abroad. literature, to select appropriate words for such In addition, many Japanese citizens an anthem. (Oyama later became army display the Hinomaru outside their front doors minister and a field marshal.) on national holidays. The music of “Kimigayo” Fenton put his own music to the is performed also at non-official events, such “Kimigayo” words selected by Oyama from a as international sports events where biwauta titled Horaisan, and the first Japanese teams are represented. At “Kimigayo” anthem was the result. The tournaments of sumo, which is considered by melody was, however, completely different many to be Japan’s national sport, the from the one known today. It was performed, national anthem is commonly performed prior with the accompaniment of brass instruments, to the award ceremony. during an army parade in 1870, but it was Acknowledging that the wide usage of the later considered to be lacking in solemnity, Hinomaru and “Kimigayo” has taken hold as and it was agreed that a revision was needed. customary law, the government, on the eve of In 1876, Nakamura Suketsune, the the 21st century, deemed it appropriate to director of the Naval Band, submitted to the give them a clear basis in written law. A bill to Navy Ministry a proposal for changing the codify the Hinomaru and “Kimigayo” as the music, and on the basis of his proposal it was national flag and anthem was submitted to the decided that the new melody should reflect Diet in June 1999. The Law Concerning the the style used in musical chants performed at National Flag and National Anthem was the imperial court. In July 1880, four persons enacted by the Diet on August 9, 1999. were named to a committee to revise the 3 NATIONAL FLAG AND ANTHEM Japanese National Holidays New Year's Day (Ganjitsu) January 1 Mountain Day (Yama no Hi) August 11 Celebrates the beginning of the new year. This is a day to allow people to enjoy the mountains and be thankful for their blessings. Coming-of-Age Day (Seijin no Hi) 2nd Monday in January Respect-for-the-Aged Day (Keiro no Hi) Young women dressed in Kimonos 3rd Monday in September celebrating their Coming-of-Age Day. This is a day to show respect to the elderly. National Foundation Day (Kenkoku Kinen Autumnal Equinox Day (Shubun no Hi) no Hi) February 11 around September 23 This holiday commemorates the start of the This is a day for family reunions and visits to reign of Japan’s legendary first emperor, family graves. Jimmu. Sports Day (Sports no Hi ) Emperor's Birthday (Tenno Tanjobi) 2nd Monday in October February 23 Established in 1966 in commemoration of the On this day, in 1960, Emperor Naruhito was opening of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, this is a born.