24 solar terms No. 17 [Cold dew]
It's late autumn.
When cold dew falls on the plants.
As the name suggests, the word "samanatsuyu" (cold dew) means "the time when cold dew falls." During this time, the mornings and evenings can get very cold, but there are many sunny days with clear autumn skies and comfortable weather.
With each rain, the mornings and evenings get colder, bringing us closer to winter.
The harvest of the five grains is a busy season for farmers, and the flavors of the autumn harvest are in full swing.
This is also the time when the night sky is deep and the moon and stars are beautiful.
At the end of the day, why not take a break and look up at the night sky?
Now, let us introduce some of the cultures and events that take place during the Kanro season.
Harvest Festival
A harvest festival is a festival that celebrates the harvest of agricultural crops.
For the Japanese people, who have traditionally eaten rice as their staple food and sometimes used it as a substitute for paper money, rice has great significance. For this reason, rather than being celebrated as a single festival, it has been celebrated in various forms all over the country.
Kannamesai and Niinamesai
Among the most representative harvest festivals in Japan, the Kanname Festival and Niiname Festival held at Ise Grand Shrine are the most historical festivals at Ise Grand Shrine and are counted among the "Three Festivals."
The Niiname -sai Festival is said to have originated in the third year of the Tenryaku era (949), and is the oldest festival with a history dating back to the Asuka period. In 1908 (Meiji era), it was designated as a major festival, one of the most important Shinto festivals.
"Masami" is a kanji character that means to entertain with food and to welcome the gods with offerings.
The Kanname Festival is held every year on October 17th, and the Niiname Festival is held every year on November 23rd.
◆Kanname Festival◆－Kanname Festival－
The Kanname -sai festival is said to have originated from the myth in which Amaterasu Omikami ate the first harvest of rice from Takamagahara, the heavenly realm where the gods live. According to the Nihon Shoki, rice cultivation in this country began with ears of rice bestowed by Amaterasu Omikami.
Amaterasu Omikami is the ancestral deity of the Emperor and is considered the chief deity of Japan. The deity enshrined in the Inner Shrine of the Imperial Grand Shrine of Ise is Amaterasu Omikami, who bestowed rice ears.
Successive Emperors have given thanks to Amaterasu Omikami, their imperial ancestor, for bringing the blessing of rice to this land, and have offered the first harvest of the year to her.
This is carried out as a series of events known as the Kanname-sai and Niiname-sai festivals.
In fact, more than 1,500 events are held at the shrine each year, many of which are related to rice cultivation.
Just as the character for "rice" is made up of the numbers "88," rice cultivation takes 88 steps. At Ise Shrine, the various steps are performed as rituals. Rice cultivation itself is a festival.
What kind of rituals are performed at the Kannamesai festival?
The following three religious ceremonies are held at the shrine:
It is customary for festivals held at Ise Shrine to be held in the Geku-saki festival, so the Kanname-sai festival is also held in the same order.
1. The Yukino Omike Ceremony
The Yukiyu-O-Misen (dinner) ceremony is held at 10 p.m., followed by the Yukicho-O-Misen (breakfast) ceremony at 2 a.m., in the dark of night, at 10 p.m. and 2 a.m.
It is held by the light of torches and lanterns held by the priests and is considered the most important ritual of the Kannamesai festival.
"Yuki no Omike" means "offering an infinitely sacred meal."
Yuki means "pure, clean" and Omikaze means "a fine meal."
The Yuki Omisen offering includes over 30 types of ingredients, including sea bream, spiny lobster, abalone, turban shells, sweetfish, wild birds, daikon radishes, and the following: three servings of rice, kelp, and dried bonito. Newly harvested rice from Kanda is steamed as brown rice and placed in earthenware, and mochi is pounded and offered. Four types of sake are also offered: Shiroki, Kuroki, Kiyosake, and Reishu.
2. Offerings
This is a ceremony in which an envoy sent by the Emperor makes offerings to the gods. They offer up five-colored (blue, yellow, red, white, and black) silk cloth.
In addition, the Emperor's rice grown in the Imperial Palace's fields is hung in front of the inner Tamagaki fence that surrounds the main halls of the Inner Shrine and Outer Shrine. Alongside the inner Tamagaki fence, many rice ears collected from farmers all over the country, known as kakechikara, are also offered.
3. Mikagura
At the end of the Kanname-sai festival, musical performances and dancing are offered to appease the enshrined deity.
The Kannamesai is also held within the Imperial Palace. It is followed by the Kannamesai Kashikodokoro Ceremony at the Kashikodokoro Shrine, one of the three Imperial Palace shrines, where the Emperor offers new grain to the gods and prays for bountiful harvests and peace for the nation.
Other rituals include the Okitama Festival and Miura.
The "Okitama Shrine Festival" is a ceremony to worship Okitama-no-kami, the deity of the land enshrined in the northwest corner of the Naiku Shrine, and pray for all volunteers to serve without error. "Miura" is a ritual to ask the gods for their will and whether or not they have committed any sins or impurities.
Furthermore, the Niiname-sai festival, which takes place about a month later on November 23rd, is also called "Shinjo-sai," with "shin" meaning new grain (first harvest) and "name" meaning eating or a feast.
◆Niiname Festival◆-Niinamesai-
It is a harvest festival for bountiful harvests, just like the Kannamesai, but at the Niinamesai, the Emperor offers the first fruits of the harvest to the gods and gives thanks for the bountiful harvest. He also gives thanks for the blessings and prays for the peace of the nation and the prosperity of its people.
The main difference between Kannamesai and Niinamesai is that at Niinamesai, the emperor himself eats the newly-wed rice, which is a major difference from Kannamesai.
The Kanname-sai and Niiname-sai festivals have been important to Japan since ancient times, and they are also connected to the foundation on which the Japanese people have lived as an agricultural society and as a nation.
After Japan's defeat in the war, the GHQ revised the constitution and eliminated and suppressed some of Japan's culture and traditions. However, even as food culture has changed throughout history from ancient times to the present, this ritual remains an important one for the Japanese people, who have lived on rice as their staple food.
In addition, we face problems such as food waste and food additives on our dinner tables today, as well as the recent rice shortage (disturbance) that is still fresh in our memory, but the Kannamesai and Niinamesai festivals will be a good opportunity to take a fresh look at our diet and lifestyle.
The new rice season will soon be upon us, and we would like to enjoy it to show our gratitude for food.
Sports Day
"Sports Day" is a national holiday that is designated as a day to "enjoy sports, cultivate a spirit of respect for others, and pray for the realization of a healthy and vibrant society," and is held on the second Monday of October.
The origin of the holiday dates back to October 10, 1964, when the Olympic Games were held in Tokyo. To commemorate this, a national holiday called "Health and Sports Day" was established.
Since then, a change in law in 2000 made it the second Monday of October every year, and in 2020 the name was changed to "Sports Day."
◆"Health and Sports Day" and "Sports Day"
The reason for the change is that, with a view to cooperating with countries around the world through sports, the word "physical education," which has a strong image of school education, will not be used, and the purpose has also been changed to one that allows all citizens to enjoy sports.
<Formerly: Health and Sports Day>
"Enjoy sports and develop a healthy mind and body"
↓
<Currently: Sports Day>
"We hope to foster the enjoyment of sports, foster respect for others, and contribute to the realization of a healthy and vibrant society."
The content is based more on the Olympic spirit and sportsmanship.
On weekends, events are held all over the country, and some schools will be holding sports days and athletic meets at this time of year. It is also the season when local club activities become more active.
The crisp, clear autumn weather is a great opportunity to get outside, exercise, go on a hike, and think about your health.
[Cold Dew] In the 72 seasonal divisions, it is expressed as follows.
● First Sign of the Year <The Wild Geese Arrive>
This is the time when wild geese migrate from the north, replacing the swallows. This is the paired season with "Kougan Kaeru" (wild wild geese coming north), which was introduced as the next season of Qingming in the 24 solar terms.
The first geese to arrive each year are called "hatsukari," or "first geese of the season." They spend the winter in Japan and then return to Siberia when the warm spring arrives. The sight of flocks of geese flying through the sky is beautiful, and they have appeared in various literary works since ancient times, and have also been featured as a subject in paintings.
Mori Ogai's novel "Gan" (Wild Geese) is very famous. Ibuse Masuji's "Sawan on the Roof". Elementary school textbooks also contain "Old Man Daizo and the Geese" and the Swedish children's book "The Wonderful Adventures of Nils". It seems that wild geese have been loved as seasonal scenes in various countries from literary and artistic perspectives for a long time, regardless of age.
● Next Season: <Chrysanthemum Bloom>
It's the time when chrysanthemum flowers bloom, and chrysanthemum exhibitions and festivals are held all over the country.
Chrysanthemums are said to have medicinal properties that grant eternal youth and longevity, and this tradition was introduced from ancient China. On the Double Ninth Festival, there was a custom of drinking chrysanthemum wine, which is made by floating chrysanthemum flowers in sake.
●Last Season ＜Kirigirisuto ni ari＞
It's a long autumn night, and the chirping of crickets can be heard from the front door.
In the past, crickets were called karigirisu, and it was also a general term for insects that chirp in autumn. At night, you can hear the sounds of insects along with the chilly night breeze. This time of year is said to be when the moon and stars are beautiful. Why not look up at the night sky at the end of the day?
* * *
It's autumn.
It is said that autumn is the season for appetite, and is a bountiful season.
It has a refined atmosphere, as the sayings "Autumn is the season for art" and "Autumn is the season for reading."
It's a comfortable season, known as "Autumn is the season for sports."
When the weather is clear and sunny, it makes me excited to think about what kind of autumn I'll be having this year.
It's quite cold in the mornings and evenings, and the difference in temperature during the day makes you feel the change of seasons.
In order to enjoy the coming season to the fullest, please be sure to take care of your health.
The next season is No. 18 [Frost]
As autumn deepens and we reach the end of autumn, we can hear the footsteps of winter approaching.