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Celebration of seasonally based holidays and festivals in Japan: a study in cultural adaptation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 July 2011

Steven L. Renshaw
Steven L. Renshaw*
Affiliation:
Kanda University of International Studies, 1-4-1 Wakaba, Mihama Ku, 261-0014 Chiba, Japan email: stever@gol.com
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Abstract

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The way in which Japan adopted methods and practices related to celebrations of seasonally based holidays and festivals provides an interesting study in how one culture may incorporate and modify the astronomically related practices of another. This article explores this process by looking at: (1) astronomical bases of seasonal celebration in Japan, (2) Japanese values and adaptations of imported icons and practices, (3) changes in celebratory practice due to adoption of ‘Western’ methods, and (4) observation in modern Japan.

Keywords

Japanseasonslunar calendarfestivalsseasonal celebrations
Type
Contributed Papers
Information
Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union , Volume 7 , Symposium S278: “Oxford IX” International Symposium on Archaeoastronomy , January 2011 , pp. 308 - 314
Copyright
Copyright © International Astronomical Union 2011

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