Ritual, National Holidays & Life Cycle Traditional Japanese New Year’s Dishes Hatsumode (New Year’s visit to shrines or temples) Ritual & the life cycle • Coming of Age Day: • The second Monday In January Setsubun (節分) • February 3rd the night before the beginning of spring; The bean throwing rite to chase away the devils, the symbol of evil from entering the house. Oni wa soto (outside), fuku (good fortune) wa uchi (inside) Hinamatsuri (Doll festival) Girl’s Day: March 3 Tiered stand for dolls Emperor & Empress 3 court ladies 5 court musicians Ministers of the right & left 3 male court officials Orange & cherry trees Children’s Day : May 5 (formerly, Boy’s Day) Carp streamer (koinobori) 五月人形 • Ｓａｍｕｒａｉ ｄｏｌｌｓ displayed at the time of the Boy’s Festival Bon dance (mid August) Respect for the Aged Day • The third Monday in September Spring & Autumnal Equinox Day Culture Day (Nov. 3) Promoting culture and arts Award ceremonies for distinguished artists, scholars, etc. Shichi go san 7 & 5 & 3 • November 15 • Boys: 3 & 5 years old • Girls: 3 & 7 Labor Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 23) The tolling of temple bells (New Year’s Eve) • 108 times: At the midnight of New Years’ Eve to get rid of 108 earthly desires human beings are supposed to possess. Shiku hakku (四苦八苦） 4 x 9 =36 8 x 9 =72 Years • Chinese zodic Years of calamity (yakudoshi) • This is a popular superstition. The following ages are counted in the old way. (kazoedoshi) Man: 25, 42, 60 Woman: 19, 33, 49 Great calamity year for men: 42 women: 33 Celebrating years • 60: kanreki 還暦 • 70: koki 古希 • 77: kiju 喜寿 • 80: sanju 傘寿 • 88: beiju 米寿 • 90: sotsuju 卆寿 • 99: hakuju 白寿 • 100: hyakuga iwai 百賀祝い Shinto Style Marriage Ceremony Modern Christian style wedding ceremony Festival portable shrine.