Added: 12/23/2005 |
Significant Asian Events That Occur Throughout the yearMost Asian events are observed on an annual basis and commemorate historical or religious occasions. The national calendar of each Asian country is abundant in festivals and celebrations with Japan holding the leading position. Among the most famous Asian events are Tooka Ebisu, Osaka; Hina Matsuri, Tokyo; Sanja Festival, Tokyo; Onbashira Festival, Nagano; Rice Planting Festival, Hirosha; Gion Festival, Kyoto, Japanese Fall Festival and Aki Matsuri.
Hina Matsuri is held annually on March 3 as girls' day. People in various parts of Japan pray for growth and health of girls. Onbashira Festival is observed every six years, during the year of the Monkey and Tiger according to Chinese calendar. The unique and somewhat dangerous festival takes place in April and May. During the first part of the holiday people pull giant trees from the forest and across rivers to the town. In the second part these trees are paraded to Shimo-sha and Kami-sha - the local shrines. Over the years Onbashira Festival has witnessed a number of deaths.
Another of the more popular Asian Festivals is the Sanja Festival: a four-day event, held annually in mid-May in Tokyo. It has been observed for the last 200 years. The parade is started from Sensou Shrine, with three portable shrines and then eighty shrines added to it in the districts of Asakusa area.
In Japan there exist a number of Asian events and festivals that recognize rice planting, most of them occurring in June. One of the biggest Asian Festivals is the Gion Festival, which has been held for more than 1000 years already. It is celebrated during July in Kyoto City, Japan. Having a religious origin, the festival is aimed at driving away evil spirits from the city.
The Japanese star festival, known as Tanabata is held in July or August and commemorates the meeting of Nikoboshi and Orihime, who were allowed to see each other only once a year on July 7. Tanabata has originated from the Festival to Plead for Skills, observed in Kyoto Imperial Palace till the Edo period. Today people celebrate the holiday by writing wishes on small pieces of paper and hanging them on bamboo. On the next day the bamboo is usually burned or set float on the water. Though Tanabata customs vary from one part of the country to another, most of them are related to Obon traditions.
The most beautiful season in Japan, autumn is rich in Asian Festivals, most of which are related to the fall foliage and harvest. Aki Matsuri is regarded as the most popular fall celebration in the country, observed since 1996. The two-day program of the festival features educational, cultural and fun Asian events, designed for all age groups.
The Japanese Botanical Festival is held annually during the Labor Day weekend at the Missouri Botanical Garden. Its special procession features participants from the St. Louis Japanese Language School for Children. More than 30,000 people visit the festival annually to enjoy the traditions and color of Japan.
The event features bondai and ikebana exhibitions, ice sculpting, cooking demonstrations, marketplace, kimono fashion show, a Karaoke contest and tea ceremonies. Admission to the festival includes all the items on the program, except the tea ceremony. Today the Japanese Botanical Festival is seen as one of the most popular Asian Festivals.
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