Hatsuhinode

The term Hatsuhinode ( Japanese 初日の出 ) describes the first sunrise of the new year. In Japan, it is a common New Year custom to gather at dawn on the New Year and watch the first sunrise.

origin

The color woodcut "Hatsuhinode" by Eishōsai Chōki (1790)

Hatsuhinode is an ancient custom in Japan, but it only became popular after the Meiji period . The New Year's custom is connected with the legend of the deity Amaterasu , who personifies the sun and light in Shinto . In addition, it has long been believed that Toshigami, a good luck god, appears with the Hatsuhinode . For this reason, Hatsuhinode is still a custom today that is said to bring luck and is thus associated with the festive atmosphere ( めでたい medetai ) of the Japanese New Year celebrations .

Hatsuhinode spots

There are various spots for the Hatsuhinode practice across the country. Coasts and mountain peaks, viewing platforms and the top floors of tall buildings (such as skyscrapers or radio towers) that offer a good view of the horizon line are particularly popular. Furthermore, several airlines such. B. All Nippon Airways , Japan Airlines or Star Flyer so-called "Hatsuhinode flights" ( 初日の出フライト Hatsuhinode-furaito ) that start on January 1, 4:00 to 5:00, and usually the Fuji orbit to passengers whose observation with the Enable hatsuhinode .

Visibility and time

In order to predict the exact time of the Hatsuhinode , the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan conducts astronomical observations in advance. The agency also specifies around 50–60 spots where the earliest Hatsuhinode sunrise can be seen. The specific time can then be easily looked up via weather services. However, during this time of the year, the chances of snow and cloudy weather are high on the coast of the Sea of Japan . On the Pacific coast, however, good weather and thus good visibility of the Hatsuhinode is likely.

meaning

The occasion of the Hatsuhinode is often used to pray for wishes or decisions for the new year.

Effects on local public transport

In many Japanese cities there is an additional offer on the night of December 31st to January 1st. H. there is often a continuous rail traffic until regular service is resumed.

poetry

The Hatsuhinode custom is also found in Japanese poetry and painting, with the artists paying particular attention to the theme of hatsu (Japanese 初 (first)), things that happen for the first time in the New Year.

Individual evidence

↑ http://www.nttcom.co.jp/comzine/no020/wise/index.html
↑ Yuki Yamauchi: First sunrise of the year brings luck , in: The Japan Times, December 29, 2016, accessed December 19, 2017.
↑ ANA 、 18 回目の初日の出フライト羽田と中部から、 11 月発売 . Aviation Wire, October 24, 2017, accessed December 21, 2017 (Japanese).
↑ For example on tenki.jp [1] .
↑ Oliver Mayer: Mobility and night traffic at the turn of the year - local public transport at Christmas and New Year , in: The Bulletin of Aichi University of Education , 57th year, 2008, pp. 169–177 (愛知教育大学研究報告. 人文・社会科学). Link to the full text

[1] ttp://www.nttcom.co.jp/comzine/no020/wise/index.html

[2] Yuki Yamauchi: First sunrise of the year brings luck , in: The Japan Times, December 29, 2016, accessed December 19, 2017.

[3] ANA 、 18 回目の初日の出フライト羽田と中部から、 11 月発売 . Aviation Wire, October 24, 2017, accessed December 21, 2017 (Japanese).

[4] For example on tenki.jp [1] .

[5] Oliver Mayer: Mobility and night traffic at the turn of the year - local public transport at Christmas and New Year , in: The Bulletin of Aichi University of Education , 57th year, 2008, pp. 169–177 (愛知教育大学研究報告. 人文・社会科学). Link to the full text