Mother’s Day in Japan, “Haha no Hi” (母の日), was once celebrated on March 6, the birthday of Emperor Akihito’s mother. But since 1949, the holiday follows the Western calendar, also being celebrated in Japan on the second Sunday of May.
The celebration of a day for mothers is ancient. Its origin dates back to ancient Greece, where the beginning of spring was celebrated in honor of Rhea, the mother of the gods. The Mother’s Day as we know it today was only established in the United States in 1914. Anna Jarvis is recognized as the creator of the holiday. After her mother’s death, she made a memorial to her mother. Then she started the campaign that led to the establishment of Mother’s Day as a holiday. The current Mother’s Day was first celebrated on the second Sunday of May 1914 (May 8).
In Japan, the holiday was originally established by the Imperial Women’s Union on March 6, 1931. During World War II, Western holidays were completely prohibited in Japan. Only after the war, around 1949, did Mother’s Day return to be celebrated throughout the country. This time following the Western calendar, as mentioned at the beginning of the article.
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How Mother’s Day is celebrated in Japan
On this day, some families stay home to enjoy everyday meals. But with an important difference – the children are the cooks on Mother’s Day. Other families prefer to eat out and stroll in the beautiful parks and squares throughout Japan. It all depends on each person’s culinary talent. Large events are also held across the country to celebrate Mother’s Day in the Japanese style. Since elementary school, children are encouraged to celebrate the holiday by making drawings and portraits of their mothers.
Some Japanese Delicacies for Mother’s Day – Mother’s cooking is always the best. We never forget the taste and often inherit our mother’s culinary talent. The famous sushi is a good option to savor on Mother’s Day. The Japanese also enjoy:
- Nimono (boiled dishes);
- Tamagoyaki (rolled omelet);
- Miso soup;
- Chawanmushi (egg custard with ginkgo seeds);
- Tofu;
- Sashimi and others;
Common gifts on Mother’s Day
The most common gift on Japanese Mother’s Day is the red carnation. The red carnation in Japan is a symbol of purity, sweetness, and resilience. Thus, it is no wonder that this beautiful flower is so associated with mothers in Japan. And it is also not without reason that prices increase. But giving flowers is not a rule. There is a huge variety of gifts and reminders for the occasion.
Mother’s Day in Japan is not so different from what is celebrated in the rest of the world. But traditions and cultures make Haha No Hi a unique day in Japan. Here’s a tip: Our mothers work every day of the year. So, let’s give them the best gift every day of the year: Respect, love, and affection.
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