Labor Thanksgiving Day

Labor Thanksgiving Day (勤労感謝の日) is an annual public holiday in Japan celebrated on November 23 of each year, unless that day falls on a Sunday, in which case the holiday is moved to Monday. The law establishing the holiday cites it as an occasion to respect labor, to celebrate production, and for citizens to give each other thanks.

History
Labor Thanksgiving Day is the modern name for an ancient harvest festival known as Niiname-sai (新嘗祭), celebrating the harvest of the Five Cereals. The classical chronicle the Nihon Shoki mentions a harvest ritual having taken place during the reign of the legendary Emperor Jimmu (660–585 BC), as well as more formalized harvest celebrations during the reign of Emperor Seinei (480–484 AD). Modern scholars can date the basic forms of niiname-sai to the time of Emperor Tenmu (667–686 AD). Traditionally, it celebrated the year's hard work; during the Niiname-sai ceremony, the Emperor would dedicate the year's harvest to kami (spirits), and taste the rice for the first time. The festival was held on the second Day of the Rabbit in the 11th month of each year under the lunar calendar, and was fixed at November 23 when Japan adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1873.

During the occupation of Japan after World War II, the United States-led authorities sought to abolish Japanese national holidays rooted in the State Shinto mythology, including Niiname-sai. This led to an official recommendation to the Japanese government (with the practical effect of an order) to replace these holidays with secular ones. The Japanese government responded in 1948 by adopting a new national holiday law that renamed the holiday to Labor Thanksgiving Day while keeping the date the same.

May 1 is also celebrated as Labor Day by many trade unions in Japan, which hold large rallies and marches in Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya.

Celebration
On this day, school children prepare cards or gifts to distribute to police officers, firefighters, hospital staffs, personnel of the Japan Self-Defense Force and the Japan Coast Guard and other people in the labor sector to show appreciation for their contributions to the country. Companies review their accomplishments and congratulate their workers for their dedication. Families get together and have dinner at home on this holiday. In addition, individuals themselves are encouraged to relax and take care of themselves. The traditional Niiname-sai festival is still held privately by the Imperial House of Japan on Labor Thanksgiving Day. It is considered one of the most significant annual rituals by the Emperor, requiring rites to be conducted from 6 PM to 8 PM and from 11 PM to 1 AM in the presence of only two servants. Due to the physical requirements of the rites, Emperor Hirohito ceased participation at age 70 and Emperor Akihito shortened his participation in stages from age 75 to age 80. The festival is also celebrated publicly at some Shinto shrines such as Sumiyoshi Taisha in Osaka.

The Nagano Ebisuko Fireworks Festival (長野えびす講煙火大会) is held on Labor Thanksgiving Day and had 400,000 attendees in 2017.