春分の日（しゅんぶん の ひ）Vernal Equinox

 When is Vernal Equinox Day?　　 春分の日

The vernal equinox (or spring equinox) marks the beginning of astronomical spring. It is a national holiday in Japan.

It occurs during the month of March in the Northern Hemisphere, and during September in the Southern Hemisphere. It usually falls on March 20th or 21st.

Traditions of the Vernal Equinox

In Japan, the vernal equinox ('Shunbun no Hi') is a welcome holiday as it marks the end of winter and the arrival of spring.

"Shun 春" is the kanji character for spring and "bun 分" is the kanji character meaning "to divide".

At the same moment that the vernal equinox occurs in one hemisphere, it is the time of the autumnal equinox in the other hemisphere.

Traditionally, the equinoxes were a time to venerate ancestors, and the two dates of the Vernal and Autumnal equinoxes became holidays celebrated in Shinto to pay respects to past members of the imperial family.

In 1948, the holiday was changed to its current form as part of post-war reforms that converted religious holidays into secular holidays. The day is intended to celebrate the love of nature and living things.

In modern Japan, the day still maintains its older traditions as visiting family graves お墓参りand holding family reunions is a common way of celebrating the equinox.

Photo --  https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2208539 

What Is O-haka Mairi?    お墓参り

O-haka Mairi (お墓参り) is a traditional Japanese custom of when Japanese people go and visit the graveyards of their ancestors and relatives. It is a custom that Japanese people take seriously. “O-haka” means (the honorable) grave or tomb, and “Mairi” means to visit. It is a very important Japanese ritual of going to honor and pay their respects to their ancestors. 

The Japanese believe that there is a link between the living and the dead, and this social interaction happens through O-haka Mairi. The ancestors are watching over and protecting the living, while the living offer the flowers and food as a show of gratitude. This give-and-take is enacted often in other rituals performed in Japan. 

It is also believed that ancestors need emotional support and care. They enjoy being involved the world of the living, and the living, in return, receive the help of the dead in their daily life struggles.