National
Unity Day of Nepal
Independence Resistance Day (Morocco)
Kagami Biraki
(Japan)
In Japan the New Year period
is considered the most important time of
the year, and 'Kagami Biraki' coincides
with its celebration. Ritually it is held
on the second Sunday of January and is usually
celebrated by offering 'Mochi' (a concentrated
round, flat rice cake). Men offer the mochi
to their armour; women offer it to their
mirrors.
The
literal translation for 'Kagami' is 'Mirror'
and 'Biraki' means 'Open' or 'Opening' as
well as abstinence; i.e. to break. The expression
translates as 'Open Mirror, Mirror Opening'
or 'Rice Cutting Ceremony'. The tradition
stems from an old military custom.
The
Kagami Biraki celebration has become a custom
to various martial arts such as Judo, Kendo,
Karatedo, Aikido, etc.. Its occurrence officially
kicks off the dojo's year and, for students,
it represents a renewing of the 'Spirit'
and 'Rededication' to training. It has come
to mean the first gathering, (Hatsu Geiko
- martial artists call it 'first training')
opening or coming together in the new year
of many people (members of a clan) dojo,
family etc. to assemble for a lecture, message
or speech given by the headmaster or leader.
It is usually in order that he may share
with them how he really feels and what he's
really like deep down inside. It follows
that the members would also use this occasion
to reflect upon themselves and their actions
of the previous year.
Republic Day (Albania)
Anniversary
of the establishment of Albania in 1946.
1922
– First use of insulin to treat diabetes
in a human patient.
1972 – East Pakistan renames itself Bangladesh.
For details, contact Datacentre
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