Taiwanese people always love to travel to Japan, but do you know the reason why Japan changed the Lunar New Year to the Solar New Year? See this history from the editor-in-chief Tokyo Distance Log!
On the first day of construction in 2023, I worked remotely in Tokyo.
This time in Japan from a distance, just happened to cross over to Japan for the New Year, I have a very good feeling for the Japanese New Year, in addition to watching red and white together and participating in the first book, what I feel the most is the change in life.
On the first night of Taiwan's New Year's Eve, I was going to buy vegetables at the supermarket in front of the station that was open until midnight, but it was empty, and although the supermarket was open on January 3 , it was only open until 9 p.m., and the next day it resumed normal business hours.
Unlike other countries in East Asia that are influenced by Chinese culture, modern Japanese celebrate the Gregorian New Year, and from around December 28 until January 3, about 85-90% of shops in Japan are completely "closed" and closed for practice, including garbage collection trucks. In contrast, Taiwanese stores give themselves fewer days off during the Lunar New Year.
However, why is Japan, which was deeply influenced by Han culture, different from other East Asian countries, living in the Western solar calendar? I guess it was related to Japan's decision to leave Asia and join Europe after the Meiji Restoration, but I actually checked the information and found that there was actually something else.
Photo by BREAKIFY on Unsplash |
After changing the Western Year, I didn't expect this to be the reason
It is true that the calendar change took place during the Meiji Restoration, but it was very hasty and not the result of careful planning.
On November 9, 1872, the Japanese government suddenly issued the "Book of Revised Calendars", announcing that December 3 of the upcoming old calendar (lunar calendar) would be changed to January 1, Meiji 6. In other words, the real New Year from now on is January 1 of the solar calendar.
At the time of the change of calendar, it was the end of the year, and as soon as the decree was announced, the whole country suddenly had only more than 20 days left to celebrate the New Year, and the decree caught the whole people off guard and was in chaos. The Meiji government was very bold.
However, change is always like this, and there is no change that does not occur in a messy, sooner or later problem. Of course, the Japanese got used to it in the end, and they still use it today.
(Celebrations reflect our culture of resistance: How did Taiwanese celebrate the New Year before? ）
Photo | Photo by Egor Myznik on Unsplash
Change to the new calendar, does not need to be so sudden, just because the government wants to solve the __ problem?
The official saying is that the lunar calendar, which is based on the moon, is prone to leap years and leap months in the calculation of days. However, it is also said that the Meiji government at this time was extremely expensive.
After the Meiji Restoration, the salary of officials was changed from "annual salary" to "monthly salary", and there was a leap month in June that year, and the government had to give 13 months' salary. A wise government that spends money on restoration, financial turnover is difficult, money is about to be lost, and some people propose to switch to a new calendar, so as to avoid the dilemma of occasionally having to pay 13 months' salary. Suggestions that solve the problem are immediately adopted.
At that time, Fukuzawa Yukichi, who advocated leaving Asia and joining Europe, was also said to strongly support the government's decision to change the calendar. So the Japanese New Year was synchronized with Europe and the United States.
When you come to Japan during the New Year, except for a trip to Tokyo, most of them have few shops open outside, so you have to enjoy the hotel facilities at a hotel hotel.
What about you? Want to celebrate the New Year, or the Lunar New Year? If you had a choice, which one would you choose?
My words, both.
(Guess you like: you don't have to make New Year's resolutions, live in the moment and respect the rhythm of your life)
Photo | Photo by Kentaro Toma on Unsplash
Which company has a seven-day holiday at the end of Christmas Eve in addition to the Lunar New Year, and never makes up shifts?
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Of course, in addition to two annual leaves, it is also important to encourage thorough and good rest, take advantage of holidays, set New Year's aspirations and goals, and establish habits. We have a remote system of flexible work, relying on a high degree of freedom and discipline, and we know that human freedom ultimately comes from discipline and self-leadership.
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