Autumn Equinox in Japan (秋分の日, Shūbun no hi)

The Day:

The Autumn Equinox generally falls around September 22nd or 23rd in Japan, marking the day when daylight hours and night time are approximately equal. It is one of the two annual equinoxes, the other being the Spring Equinox.

History and Traditions:

Originally influenced by Buddhist beliefs, this period, known as Higan (彼岸), which means "the other shore", is a time to honor past ancestors. Higan lasts for seven days, three days before and after the equinox.

During this period, many Japanese visit family graves to pray and leave flowers. It's a tradition that stems from Buddhist teachings that encourage people to think about the impermanence of life. The equinox itself is a national holiday in Japan, which allows people to take time off work to engage with these practices.

The concept of balancing day and night also ties into balancing spirituality and physicality. People may engage in both cleaning graves (ohaka-mairi) and spiritual activities like meditation.

Chrysanthemums hold special significance during this time as they bloom in autumn and are associated with longevity and rejuvenation; they are often used as offerings at gravesites.

What People Do:

• Grave Visitation: Families come together to clean their ancestors' graves, offering prayers, incense, and flowers.
• Offerings: Seasonal offerings like ohagi (sweet rice balls) are made.
• Ceremonies: Some temples hold special ceremonies where monks read sutras.
• Reflection: The equinox is a time for self-reflection on one's life.
• Enjoying Nature: Many people also take advantage of the holiday to appreciate autumn's arrival by going out into nature as the leaves begin changing color.