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A young girl in a formal kimono holding  a large bag.
Cultural Holidays
  1. Calendars in Japan
  2. Fortune Calendar (Rokuyō)
  3. Events of the New Year's Period: Matsunouchi and Koshōgatsu
  4. Bean Throwing Day or Setsubun (February 3)
  5. Valentine’s Day (February 14)
  6. Doll Festival (March 3)
  7. White Day (March 14)
  8. Cherry Blossom Viewing Season or Hanami (late March to early April)
  9. Boys' Day, Children's Day, or Tango no Sekku (May 5)
  10. Mother’s Day (second Sunday in May)
  11. Father’s Day (third Sunday in June)
  12. Star Festival or Tanabata (July 7)
  13. Summer Greetings or Shochū Mimai (late July to early August)
  14. Summer Gift-Giving Season or Ochūgen
  15. Obon
  16. Seven-Five-Three or Shichigosan (November 15)
  17. Christmas Day (December 25)
  18. Winter Gift Giving Season or Oseibo
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A bride and groom walk down a red carpet while others throw streamers to celebrate
This couple was aware of Rokuyō when they planned their wedding.
Photo Courtesy of Mizo.
Fortune Calendar (Rokuyō)
The rokuyō (six days) is a calendar that tells a fortune for each day. It was introduced from China in about the 14th century. Just as a regular calendar gives 7-day weeks starting with Sunday and ending with Saturday, rokuyō repeats a six-day week in which the days are named senkachi, tomobiki, senmake, butsumetsu, taian and shakku. According to the rokuyō, each day has a special meaning. However, there is no agreement on what the meanings are, or on how to pronounce the names of the days. In general, taian (great serenity’) is regarded as a lucky day, suitable for a wedding. In contrast, butsumetsu (Buddha death), supposedly the day on which the Buddha died, is considered to be a bad day for a celebration such as a wedding. Funerals should be avoided on tomobiki, which literally means “pulling a friend.” Although few people pay attention to the rokuyō these days, most people still avoid holding a wedding on butsumetsu, or a funeral on tomobiki.
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