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Kimono Exhibition – EKŌ-House
From October 30 to November 25 our Japanese cultural center displayed kimonos from Ruth Jäschke’s collection. The exhibition was not centered on historical examples but kimonos of the 20th Century as...
View ArticleThe Emperor’s Birthday (天皇誕生日 tennō tanjōbi)
Emperor Akihito (明仁天皇 akihito tennō) is currently Japan’s emperor and his birthday is celebrated on December 23. The date changes with the reigning emperor’s birthdate. On this national holiday the...
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Ōmisoka (大晦日)
On December 31, the second most important day for Japanese, people prepare themselves and their homes for New Year’s Day. Doing the general house cleaning (大掃除 ōsōji) is how Japanese welcome the coming...
View ArticleJapanese New Year (正月 shōgatsu)
Japanese New Year, celebrated from January 1-3, ought to be free of stress. All kinds of duties should be completed beforehand in order to leave the past year and its worries behind. A popular Japanese...
View ArticleSetsubun (節分)
On February 3 people in Japan celebrate Setsubun (節分, literally “seasonal division”). It’s customary to eat roasted soybeans, a bean for each year of one’s life. Mamemaki (豆撒き, literally “bean...
View ArticleDoll Festival (雛祭り hina matsuri)
The Doll Festival, also called Girl’s Day, is celebrated by families on March 3 to wish for the daughter’s well-being and fortune. The daughter of one’s household is given a set of expensive dolls,...
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Hanami (花見, literally “flower viewing”)
Between March and May sakura (桜, cherry blossom) blooms all over Japan. But the actual flower viewing period depends on the region. In order to support those, who want to celebrate Hanami, Japanese...
View ArticleGolden Week (ゴールデンウィーク gōruden wīku)
The term “Golden Week” refers to four national holidays within seven days. In addition to well-placed weekends, it has become one of Japan’s busiest holiday seasons. This year, Golden Week is split...
View ArticleTanabata (七夕, literally “evening of the 7th” )
In some regions the Star Festival is based on the Gregorian calendar and thus held on the 7th day of the 7th month of the year. Tanabata celebrates the meeting of the deities Orihime (織女星, Vega) and...
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