Kinro kansha no hi (November 23, Day of Thanks for Work

This day commemorates the importance of work to people. Gratitude should be shown for the work of others and the fruits of their labour. Furthermore, the extended rights of workers are to be celebrated. Therefore, on this day, festivals are organized in particular by workers' organizations to address problem areas relating to peace, human rights and the environment. In the country, however, the character of a harvest festival prevails on this day.

Customs to kinro kansha no hi

There are also events of a smaller nature, such as in Tokyo's suburbs, where kindergarten teachers give drawings and crafts to local police officers as a thank you for the daily security that the police officers provide.

Story about kinro kansha no hi

The origins of this holiday date back to the year 678. It is an ancient thanksgiving festival "Ninamesai" (Tasting of the New Rice), a Shinto ritual in which the emperor offers the freshly harvested rice to the gods (celebrated as "Daijôsai" = "Great Tasting" in the first year after accession to the throne). After World War II in 1948 it became a national holiday and the meaning of the day changed. On this day it should be commemorated that with the new constitution of 1947 the guarantee of the fundamental human rights of every individual and the extended rights for the workers were anchored.

"Niinamesai", on the other hand, is only celebrated as a private function of the imperial family.