Disaster Prevention Day

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On September 1, 1923, a big earthquake with magnitude 7,9?8,2 hit the Kanto area. According to the record, 99,331 were killed, 43,476 missing, 103,733 injured. 128266 houses were ruined, 126,233 half-ruined, 447,128 burnt.

To prevent such tragedy, September 1st was designated to be Disaster Prevention Day. On this day, earthquake and fire drills are held all over the country. Children and adults alike put on helmets, and drill under the direction of firefighters.

Now many people live and work in the congested cities and drills are held at highrise buildings using helicopters.

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Emergency Bag

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Now each home is advised to have an emergency bag, which you can buy at supermarkets or department stores.

The emergency bag is marked “To be taken Out In Case Of Emergency.” It includes:

Matches or lighter

Candles

Drinking water

Canned foods

Crackers

First-aid kit

Towels

Blankets

A flashlight

Can opener

Cash

A radio

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Typhoon

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A typhoon is a kind of low pressure system that forms and develops in the southern seas, and attacks the Philippines, China, Japan, etc .About 28 typhoons form annually, but only a few of them, perhaps 4 , land at Japan. The earlier typhoon to attack Japan was in May, and the latest one recorded was in December, but most of them come in August and September.

The recent typhoon #19 of 1991 causes heavy losses to agriculture, forestry and fishery. Apples and Oranges were especially hard hit, the worst in history. Total damage was estimated at 390 billion yen.

When a typhoon is coming near the Japanese Archipelago, people watch the TV weather forecast carefully, and prepare to avoid damage.

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Respect for the Aged Day

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Respect for the Aged Day was instituted in 1966 as a national holiday because it was recognized that the number of the aged would increase rapidly in the future and the whole nation should have a clear awareness of it. On September 15th, people visit their parents, grandparents and/or aged acquaintances to show respect for the aged.

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Celebration of Longevity

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In Japan, as in China, people traditionally celebrate their 60th and 70th birthdays. And the Japanese have even more celebrations for ages 77, 88 and 99, because double numbers are favored, with a saying that luck also doubles in those years.

-????Kanreki

60th Birthday : ?: return, ??calendar

Returning to the same eto year of one’s birth after living through the 60-year cycle.

-???Koki

70th Birthday : ? : the olden times, ? : rare

Man rarely lived until the age of 70 in the olden times.

-????kiju

77th Birthday : ??? ???

The character “joy(?)”, when written in cursive style, resembles the characters for seventy-seven. So the celebration of the 77th birthday is called Kiju, Joyful Celebration.

-?? Sanju

80th Birthday : ? ? ??

The characters “eighty,” when written in cursive style, resembles the character “umbrella (?).” So the celebration of the 80th birthday is called Sanju, Umbrella Celebration.

-??? Beiju

88th Birthday : ??? ???

The characters “eighty-eight,” when put together resembles the character “rice (?).” So the celebration of the 88th birthday is called Beiju, Rice Celebration.

-??? Sotsuju

90th Birthday : ??????????

The character “finish”(?), when written in simplified form, resembles the characters “ninety”. So the celebration of the 90th birthday is called Sotsuju, Finishing Celebeation.

-?? Hakuju

99th Birthday : ?????????

When one stroke is taken away from the character “one hundred (?),” it becomes “white (?).” So the celebration of the 99th birthday is called Hakuju, White Celebration.

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Moon Viewing

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The full moon in the clear autumn sky is beautiful, especially after the long summer heat.

In the ancient Chinese court, moon viewing was one of the major celebrations. It was held on the night of the full moon in the middle of autumn. This custom was introduced to Japan in the beginning of the 10th Century, and the first official moon viewing (o-tsukimi) was held on August 15th, 909, of the lunar calendar. Since then not only the court but ordinary people have enjoyed moon viewing.

For moon viewing, dumplings, made round in the shape of the moon, are offered to the moon. Also people would offer flowers like obana (susuki), ominaeshi or hagi together with fruits of the season.

Looking at the patterns made by craters on the surface of the moon, the Japanese believed they could see the form of a rabbit making rice cakes.