View source for The Emperor's Birthday

{{Short description|National holiday in Japan}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{Infobox holiday
|holiday_name  = Emperor's Birthday
|type          = [[Public holidays in Japan|Public]]
|image         = Emperor of Japan Birthday Akihito 2017.png
|image_size    = 300px
|caption       = Well-wishers waving flags at the Tokyo Imperial Palace on Emperor [[Akihito]]'s birthday in 2017
|official_name = {{Nihongo||天皇誕生日|Tennō tanjōbi}}
|nickname      = {{Nihongo||天長節|Tenchōsetsu}} (−1948)
|observedby    = [[Japan]]
|litcolor      = 
|significance  = Marks the birthday of the [[Emperor of Japan]]
|date          = 23 February
|scheduling    = same day each year
|duration      = 1 day
|frequency     = Annual
|celebrations  = Public ceremony at the [[Tokyo Imperial Palace]], imperial greetings
|observances   = 
}}
{{Japanese Imperial Rituals}}

{{Nihongo|'''Emperor's Birthday'''|天皇誕生日|Tennō tanjōbi|lead=yes}} is an annual [[Public holidays in Japan|public holiday in Japan]] celebrating the birthday of the reigning [[Emperor of Japan|Emperor]], which is currently 23 February as [[Naruhito|Emperor Naruhito]] was born on that day in 1960. It is enforced by the [[Emperor Abdication Law]] passed in 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www8.cao.go.jp/chosei/shukujitsu/gaiyou.html |script-title=ja:「国民の祝日」について|language=ja |trans-title=About "national holiday" |website=[[Cabinet Office (Japan)]] |access-date=23 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210329052701/https://www8.cao.go.jp/chosei/shukujitsu/gaiyou.html |archive-date=29 March 2021}}</ref>

== History of holiday ==
=== Ancient – medieval ===
The name of {{Nihongo||天長節|Tenchosetsu}} is ancient, and derived from the birthday of [[Emperor Xuanzong of Tang]]. It was changed to {{Nihongo||千秋節|"Chiaki-bushi"}} in 729 in the first year of [[Tenpyō]], but it was renamed to {{Nihongo||天長節|"Tencho-setsu"}} in the 7th year of Tenpyo (748 in the first year of Katsuho) 19 years later. {{Nihongo||天長|"Tencho"}} is taken from [[Laozi]]'s {{Nihongo||天長地久|"Tencho Chikyu"}}.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |editor-first=Masayoshi |editor-last=Nishitsunoi |publication-date=23 May 1958 |script-title=ja:『年中行事事典』 |language=ja |trans-title=Encyclopedia of Annual Events |publisher=Tokyodo Shuppan |page=512}}</ref>

The earliest historical record of an Emperor's birthday celebrations relates to the 6th year of [[Hōki]] in [[Emperor Kōnin]]'s reign (775 CE). The Emperor's birthday was already celebrated during the [[Heian period]]. This is recorded in the record of [[Hōki]] 10 (779). It is recorded that:

<blockquote>This day being the ''Tencho'', a great drinking feast was held for all the ministers, fine ''sake'' that are favoured [by the Emperor] were presented. After the feast, stipends were awarded. ({{langx|ojp|是日天長大酺群臣献翫好酒食宴畢賜禄有差}})</blockquote>

An edict dated the 11th day of the Ninth month is also recorded:
<blockquote>The 13th day of the Tenth birthday being Our birthday, each year on this day, it is both emotional and celebratory. On this day, all the monks and nuns of the monasteries must on this day turn the sutras and perform the rituals, and no animals should be butchered throughout the country, and all of the officials of inner and outer courts are awarded feasts for the day. The day will be called ''Tenchosetsu''. Thus the moral merit is used to repay the deceased imperial mother, and the celebration is spread throughout the land. ({{lang|ojp|十月十三日是朕生日毎至此辰威慶兼集宜令諸寺僧尼毎年是日転経行道海内諸国竝宜断屠内外百官賜酺宴一日仍名此日為天長節庶使廻斯功徳虔奉先慈以此慶情普被天下}})</blockquote>

There is also a description in the {{Nihongo|"Oyudono Diary"|お湯殿の上の日記}} as a record of the [[Muromachi period]].

=== Modern – contemporary ===
[[File:Flag-for-the-Emperor-Birthday-Japan-Tenchosetsu-Toyohara-Kunichika.png|thumb|Flag for the Emperor (Tenchōsetsu) 1877]]
On 26 August 1868 (11 October 1868), a decree by the Daijo-kan said, "22 September, the Emperor's Birthday is equivalent to the Emperor's Birthday." On 22 September (6 November 1868), the Emperor's Birthday was celebrated as a national holiday. In the 2nd year of the Meiji era (1869), the ministers of each country were invited to the Enryokan to receive a drink, and in the 3rd year of the Meiji era (1870), various officials, non-employees, Kazoku, etc. worshiped. The ministers and below received a feast at each ministry, and royal gun salute was shot on various warships. The ritual of the Emperor's Festival was completed in 1872, in the same year of the Emperor's Birthday.

Until 1948, it was called {{Nihongo3|"Tenchō Festival"|天長節|Tenchōsetsu}}.<ref name=":0">{{cite web | url=https://publicholidays.jp/emperors-birthday/ | title=The Emperor's Birthday 2023, 2024 and 2025 }}</ref> ''Tenchōsetsu'' paralleled {{Nihongo|''Chikyūsetsu''|地久節}}, "Chikyū Festival", which referred to the [[Empress of Japan|Empress consort]]'s birthday.<ref name=":0" /> The two names originate from the [[chengyu|idiom]] in {{zh|c=天長地久|link=no}}, borrowed from [[Laozi|Lao Tzu]]'s ''[[Tao Te Ching]]'' during the reign of [[Emperor Kōnin]] (708–782 CE), meaning "The sky and the earth, the universe is eternal," and expressed a hope for the eternal longevity of the reigning Emperor. After [[World War II]] in 1948, the [[Government of Japan|government]] renamed it to {{Nihongo||天皇誕生日|Tennō tanjōbi|{{lit}} "''emperor's birthday''"}} and made the day a public holiday.<ref name=":0" /> Under the law, when the throne passes to a new Emperor, the [[National Diet]] must convene and change the holiday date's to that of the new Emperor's birthday.<ref name="tokyotopia">{{cite web |url=http://www.tokyotopia.com/tenno-no-tanjobi.html|title=Tenno No Tanjobi celebrates the Emperor's birthday in Japan|publisher=TokyoTopia Or Tokyo Made Simple |access-date=23 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130624133555/http://www.tokyotopia.com/tenno-no-tanjobi.html |archive-date=24 June 2013}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> Thus, there exists a small chance that the former Emperor's birthday may come before the change can be made.{{fact|date=October 2025}}

During the reign of Emperor [[Hirohito]] (the [[Shōwa era]], 1926–1989), the Emperor's birthday was observed on 29 April.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/2WWhirohito.htm |title=Emperor Hirohito |publisher=Spartacus Educational |access-date=23 December 2009 }}</ref> That date remained a public holiday, posthumously renamed [[Greenery Day]] in 1989 and [[Shōwa Day]] in 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2282.html|title=Golden Week|publisher=japan-guide.com |access-date=23 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125002400/http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2282.html |archive-date=25 January 2021}}</ref>

On 30 April 2019, the 125th Emperor [[Akihito]] abdicated as per the [[Constitution of Japan]] and in accordance with the Imperial Code Special Law Concerning the Retirement of the Emperor. Because [[Akihito]]'s birthday is 23 December, and his successor [[Naruhito]]'s is 23 February 2019 was the first year since the introduction of the Holidays Act in 1948 that there were no Emperor's Birthday celebrations.<ref>{{Cite news|script-title=ja:初めて天皇誕生日なし 政府が19年の祝日発表|url=https://r.nikkei.com/article/DGXMZO26424440R00C18A2PP8000|accessdate=20 November 2018|language=ja|script-work=ja:日本経済新聞 電子版 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813081629/https://r.nikkei.com/article/DGXMZO26424440R00C18A2PP8000 |archive-date=13 August 2020}}</ref>

Because of concerns related to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], the public celebrations for [[Naruhito]]'s birthday were cancelled in 2020 ([[Reiwa era|Reiwa]] 2),<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=His Majesty's Birthday Receptions |url=https://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e-about/kyuchu/shukuga02.html |website=The Imperial Household Agency}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2020/02/fab476be601b-breaking-news-emperor-naruhito-birthday-event-canceled-due-to-coronavirus-outbreak.html | title=Emperor's birthday event canceled due to coronavirus outbreak }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/japan-cancels-emperor-naruhitos-birthday-celebrations-amid-coronavirus-scare-2181263 | title=Japan Cancels Emperor Naruhito's Birthday Celebrations Amid Coronavirus Scare }}</ref> 2021 ([[Reiwa era|Reiwa]] 3)<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/his-birthday-japanese-emperor-hopes-bright-future-amid-pandemic-2021-02-23/ | title=On his birthday, Japanese Emperor hopes for bright future amid pandemic | newspaper=Reuters | date=23 February 2021 }}</ref> and 2022 ([[Reiwa era|Reiwa]] 4).<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Visit of the General Public to the Palace for His Majesty's Birthday |url=https://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e-event/sanga02.html |access-date=2023-02-23 |website=The Imperial Household Agency}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nippon.com/en/news/yjj2022022300213/ | title=Birthday Ceremonies for Emperor Naruhito Scaled Down | date=23 February 2022 }}</ref> However, the emperor addressed and thanked the public for their wishes in a press conference<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nippon.com/en/news/yjj2020022300034/japan-emperor-turning-60-resolved-to-fulfill-state-symbol-role.html?cx_recs_click=true | title=Japan Emperor, Turning 60, Resolved to Fulfill State Symbol Role | date=23 February 2020 }}</ref> and a recorded video message<ref>{{cite web|url=https://japan-forward.com/editorial-reiwa-emperor-reaches-out-empowers-the-people-on-his-birthday/ |date=25 February 2021 |title=EDITORIAL: Reiwa Emperor Reaches Out, Empowers the People on his Birthday |website=Japan Forward | access-date=28 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226220532/https://japan-forward.com/editorial-reiwa-emperor-reaches-out-empowers-the-people-on-his-birthday/ |archive-date=26 February 2021}}</ref> 2020 and 2021 respectively.

== Observance ==
[[File:TennoTanjobiM1085.jpg|thumb|260px|The Imperial family on the birthday of Emperor Akihito, 2005]]

Many citizens write letters to the emperor during the week leading up to his birthday, and display the Japanese flag on the day.<ref name=":0" />

On the Emperor's Birthday, a public ceremony takes place at the [[Tokyo Imperial Palace]], where the gates are opened (the palace is usually off-limits to the public).<ref name="livejournal">{{Cite web |url=https://kazegafukuhi.livejournal.com/15948.html |title=Tennō tanjōbi |script-title=ja:(天皇誕生日) |language=it |date=23 December 2006 |publisher=kazegafukuhi.livejournal.com |access-date=21 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809051133/https://kazegafukuhi.livejournal.com/15948.html |archive-date=9 August 2020}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> Usually only the surrounding park can be visited.<ref name="livejournal"/> The emperor, accompanied by the [[Empress of Japan|empress]], and several other members of [[Imperial House of Japan|the imperial family]] appear on a palace balcony to acknowledge the birthday greetings of well-wishers waving Japanese flags.<ref name="livejournal"/><ref name=":0" /> This event is called {{Nihongo3|Visit of the General Public to the Palace|[[:ja:一般参賀|一般参賀]]|Ippan-sanga}}. Only on this occasion, and during New Year's celebrations on 2 January, are members of the public permitted to enter the inner grounds of the palace.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e-event/sanga01.html |title=Visit of the General Public to the Palace for the New Year Greeting |publisher=[[Imperial Household Agency]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116214031/https://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e-event/sanga01.html |archive-date=16 November 2020}}</ref><ref name="tokyotopia"/><ref name=":0" /> The crowd must wait in an orderly manner in a pre-established area between the main road and the building: at a later time the police accompany visitors, guiding them from the square in front of them to the inside of the building.<ref name="livejournal"/> Admission is free and those who wish are given a small [[Flag of Japan|Japanese flag]].<ref name="livejournal"/><ref name=":0" /> The area in front of the reception pavilion is called Chōwaden. Visitors wait in line next to the Nijubashi bridge, at around 9:30 in the morning the police make a first group of people cross the bridge and manage the entrance to the square below the balcony. At around 10:20&nbsp;am, the emperor, accompanied by the empress, the heirs to the throne and their respective spouses, looks out on the balcony and the crowd below wishes the emperor long life by repeating the word "[[Ten thousand years|banzai]]" in chorus which means "ten thousand years" (for the emperor).<ref name="livejournal"/><ref name=":0" /> On the day of the holiday, the Imperial Palace complex and the surrounding streets are guarded by police, which, according to tradition, hand out small flags of Japan at the gate for free. Citizens may also bring their own if they wish.<ref name=":0" />

Once his thanks and public greetings are concluded, the crowd begins to wave flags and the Imperial Family retreats inside the palace.<ref name="magazine">{{Cite web |url=http://sakuramagazine.com/tenno-tanjoubi-il-compleanno-dellimperatore/ |title=Tenno Tanjoubi: Il compleanno dell'Imperatore |language=it |publisher=Sakura Magazine |access-date=21 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130105010822/http://sakuramagazine.com/tenno-tanjoubi-il-compleanno-dellimperatore/ |archive-date=5 January 2013}}</ref> The ceremony lasts three minutes in all, after which the group of subjects is guided outside, and a second group is allowed to enter. This operation is repeated several times, so that as many citizens as possible can pay homage to the emperor.<ref name="livejournal"/> The same evening, national television broadcasts a special during which the emperor addresses a few words of thanks to the country.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tuttocina.it/fdo/famgiapp.htm |title=La famiglia imperiale giapponese |language=it |publisher=tuttocina.it |access-date=21 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170619125927/http://www.tuttocina.it/fdo/famgiapp.htm |archive-date=19 June 2017}}</ref>

The crowd that attends the ceremony usually consists of adults and elderly people.<ref name="magazine"/> Among the crowd, there may also be groups of foreign tourists who organize palace visits and enjoy the event.<ref name="magazine"/>

== Song ==
"The Emperor's Birthday ({{tlit|ja|Tenchōsetsu}})" ({{lang|ja|天長節}}) (lyrics Mayori Kurokawa, composer Yoshisa Oku) was enacted as "a holiday festival date song" in 1893 ([[Meiji era|Meiji]] 26).<ref>{{cite web |website=National Diet Library |url=https://dl.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/1333980 |date=1 January 2011 |trans-title="The Emperor's Birthday" |script-title=ja:天長節 |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210330135940/https://dl.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/1333980 |archive-date=30 March 2021}}</ref>

These are the lyrics of the song:<ref name="video">{{cite web |title=Tenchō Festival, Tenchō setsu |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKmdiJXxSHk |date=22 February 2021 |website=YouTube |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210330174504if_/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKmdiJXxSHk |archive-date=30 March 2021}}</ref>

{|
|-
| {{lang|ja|今日の吉き日は　大君の}}
| {{tlit|ja|Kyō no yoki hi wa ōkimi no}}
| Today's blessing day is His Majesty's
|-
| {{lang|ja|うまれたまひし　吉き日なり}}
| {{tlit|ja|Umare tamaishi yoki hi nari}}
| Day of birth, truly a blessing day
|-
| {{lang|ja|今日の吉き日は　みひかりの}}
| {{tlit|ja|Kyō no yoki hi wa mihikari no}}
| Today's blessing day is when the glorious light
|-
| {{lang|ja|さし出たまひし　吉き日なり}}
| {{tlit|ja|Sashide tamaishi yoki hi nari}}
| Shines in, truly a blessing day
|-
| {{lang|ja|ひかり遍き　君が代を}}
| {{tlit|ja|Hikari amaneki kimi ga yo o}}
| Lights are all over your reign
|-
| {{lang|ja|いはへ諸人　もろともに}}
| {{tlit|ja|Iwae morobito morotomo ni}}
| Let us subjects celebrate, as one
|-
| {{lang|ja|めぐみ遍き　君が代を}}
| {{tlit|ja|Megumi amaneki kimi ga yo o}}
| Graces are all over your reign
|-
| {{lang|ja|いはへ諸人　もろともに}}
| {{tlit|ja|Iwae morobito morotomo ni}}
| Let us subjects celebrate, as one
|}
{{Nihongo krt||天長節|Tenchōsetsu}}, The Emperor's Birthday, 1893

== List of emperors' birthdays ==
{| class="wikitable"
! Era || Emperor || Years || Date
|-
|rowspan="2"|[[Meiji era|Meiji]]||rowspan="2"|[[Emperor Meiji]]||1868–1872||22nd of the Ninth month (Lunisolar calendar)
|-
|1873–1911||3 November
|-
|rowspan="2"|[[Taishō era|Taishō]]||rowspan="2"|[[Emperor Taishō]]||1912–1913||31 August (Note: this was Taishō's actual birthday)
|-
|1914–1926||31 October  (Note: the date for the celebrations was changed as it fell during the summer holiday season)
|-
|[[Shōwa era|Shōwa]]||[[Hirohito|Emperor Shōwa]]||1927–1988||29 April
|-
|[[Heisei era|Heisei]]||[[Akihito|Emperor Akihito]]||1989–2018||23 December
|-
|[[Reiwa era|Reiwa]]||[[Naruhito|Emperor Naruhito]]||2020– ||23 February
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|The Emperor's Birthday}}
* [http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/eindex.html The Imperial Household Agency]
** [http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e-about/kyuchu/shukuga02.html His Majesty's Birthday Receptions]
** [http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e-event/sanga02.html Visit of the General Public to the Palace for His Majesty's Birthday]

{{Japan Holidays}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Emperor's Birthday, The}}
[[Category:Public holidays in Japan]]
[[Category:February observances]]
[[Category:Birthdays of heads of state]]
[[Category:Annual events in Japan]]
[[Category:1948 establishments in Japan]]