Happy Labour-Thanksgiving! (Kinro Kansha no hi)
It became a holiday in 1948 as a day for citizens to express gratitude to one other for work done throughout the year and for the fruits of those labors. But it is actually a modern name for an ancient rice ritual called 新嘗祭 Niinamesai (Harvest Festival). In the ritual, the Emperor makes the season's first offering of freshly harvested rice to the gods and then chows down on the rice himself.
After World War II, Labour-Thanksgiving Day was established to mark the fact that fundamental human rights were guaranteed and rights of workers were greatly expanded in the postwar Constitution. Today, Labour-Thanksgiving Day has become a national holiday while Niinamesai is celebrated as a private function of the Imperial Family.
In the suburbs of Tokyo, nursery school pupils present drawings and handicrafts to local police officers, who (supposedly) look after their safety every day.
I'm thankful just to have a job. What are you thankful for?
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