Origin and History of Mother's Day in Japan
Mother’s Day was celebrated on 6 March during the Shōwa period in Japan. The day honors the birthday of Empress Kōjun (mother of Emperor Akihito). The event was first observed in the year 1931. Slowly, Japanese started following western dates to celebrate this day. Around 1949, they started celebrating Mother’s Day on the second Sunday of May. At present the day is celebrated with great pomp and gaiety. ‘Haha no hi’ is the local name for this special occasion. The word is derived from the Japanese word ‘hahaoya’ which means mother. Children give flowers such as red carnations and roses as gifts to their moms and make them feel special.
Local name: Haha No Hi
Ways to celeberate Haha No Hi in Japan
Mother’s Day is celebrated to express appreciation and love for mothers. It is celebrated on the second Sunday of May like any other country across the world. On this day, special prayers and public gatherings are organized. One can find restaurants and shopping hubs over crowded with people. Prices of flowers shoot up particularly at this time. Children shower their love on their moms in the form of beautiful carnations. They are considered as a symbol of mothers in Japan. A carnation is also considered as a sign of sweetness, purity, and endurance. Kids show their appreciation by buying gifts, drawing cute pictures or portraits of their moms and helping her out with the household chores.
