March 21, 2015: Vernal Equinox Day

“Shunbun-no-hi” (Vernal Equinox Day) is a national holiday in Japan that usually occurs on about March 21. A week in between Shunbun-no-hi is called “Higan”. We traditionally visit ancestor’s graves during higan.

Butterbur sprout

On Shunbun-no-hi, like on the “Shubun-no-hi (Autumn Equinox Equinox Day), the length of day and night is the same. In short, the spring begins from that day. This period is a boundary marking the end of the winter cold and the coming of spring.

春が始まる日

春分の日は国民の祝日で、3月21日ころに設けられます。春分の日前後の1週間は春の彼岸といって、墓参りをする時期です。 この春分の日は、秋分の日と同様、昼と夜の長さが等しくなる日。つまり、この日から春が始まり、冬の寒さも終わりを告げ、春がどんどん深まっていくのです。

Ohagi

Ohagi is an essential food twice a year, for the spring and autumn higan weeks.

Ohagi

Sakura Ohagi

Higan and Ohagi for details >> Red spider lily and Ohagi

おはぎ

おはぎは年に2回、春と秋の彼岸に欠かせない食べ物です。