{"id":62850,"date":"2017-09-23T10:00:29","date_gmt":"2017-09-23T01:00:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cotoacademy.com\/autumnal-equinox-day\/"},"modified":"2017-09-23T10:00:29","modified_gmt":"2017-09-23T01:00:29","slug":"autumnal-equinox-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cotoacademy.com\/ja\/autumnal-equinox-day\/","title":{"rendered":"Autumnal Equinox Day\u00a0(\u79cb\u5206\u306e\u65e5): More Than Just a Change of Seasons"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Throughout the year, the balance between day and night is constantly changing. But as we progress through the seasons, twice a year we will encounter points where equilibrium is reached between the two; both day and night will be equal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, the second \u2018day-and-night equilibrium\u2019 of the year is known as the Autumn Equinox. It occurs between the 22 and 23 of September and indicates the astronomical arrival of autumn. In Japan, this event is marked by the public holiday \u2018Autumnal Equinox Day, also known in Japanese as Shubun no Hi (\u79cb\u5206\u306e\u65e5).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Japan's
Japan’s Autumnal Equinox Day<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

When Exactly is Japan\u2019s Autumn Equinox?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Autumn Equinox occurs when the sun passes over the equator from the Northern Hemisphere to the Southern Hemisphere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is an \u2018Equinox\u2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The word equinox comes from latin, meaning \u2018equal night\u2019. Although contrary to popular belief, the lengths of day and night are not exactly equal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first equinox of the year occurs in March and is called the Vernal Equinox, which indicates the end of winter and the start of spring. Japan also celebrates the vernal equinox with a national holiday, Vernal Equinox Day.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Did the Autumn Equinox Holiday Start?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Japan, along with other nations, has celebrated the Autumnal Equinox for centuries and it has been a national holiday since the Meiji period. Yet, the well-established roots of this holiday – originally called Shuki Koreisai – are believed to stem from Shintoism and Buddhism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to the seasonal significance of the Autumnal Equinox, this holiday also paid tribute to the spirits of deceased relatives and Japanese Emperors. However, after WWII the government separated religion from the state through the post-war constitution and the day was rebranded as a non-religious holiday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are there Traditional Ways to Celebrate?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Yes. Despite the rebranding of the holiday, the religious significance of the equinox still remains. Following both the autumnal and vernal equinoxes is the Buddhist holiday Ohigan, which literally means \u201cthe other shore\u201d. This \u201cother shore\u201d is linked to enlightenment, and thus, this holiday is connected to six practices (paramitas) that are believed to lead to it: generosity, morality, perseverance, concentration, meditation and wisdom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During O-higan, people will reconnect with their families to tend to the graves of ancestors and visit shrines and temples. People also celebrate the good weather and autumn harvest by enjoying outdoor activities and eating Shibun no Hi snacks such as botomachi \u2013 a ball of sweet rice in azuki paste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How You Can Commemorate the Autumnal Equinox in\/around Tokyo<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps the best way to spend this time is to express gratitude to loved ones who have passed over. As per the tradition, if you have ancestors in Japan you could tend to their gravestones. If not, you could ask friends if they would like any support from their families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n