Kigensetsu - National Foundation Day

This holiday was established by the Meiji government in December 1872 (Meiji 5) to mark the accession of Emperor Jinmu to the throne. It was originally designated for January 29th, but was renamed Kigensetsu in March the following year, and in October of the same year, the date was changed to February 11th. The intention behind establishing this holiday, which has an unclear historical basis, was to demonstrate the legitimacy of national rule centered on the Emperor to both domestic and international audiences, and as elementary school education became more widespread, it became established as a holiday among the people as well. On Kigensetsu, the Constitution of the Empire of Japan was promulgated (1889) and the Order of the Golden Kite was established (1890). From 1926 (Taisho 15), national foundation celebrations were held in various places, mainly by veterans' associations, youth groups, and school students, and this day played a major role in propaganda of nationalism and militarism. It is also well known that this day was set as the target date for the fall of Singapore during the Pacific War.

When the National Holidays Law was enacted in July 1948, it was abolished as it was deemed inconsistent with the ideals of the Japanese Constitution. However, based on the amendment to the Holidays Law in 1966, the Eisaku Sato cabinet issued a government ordinance in February of the following year, 1967, designating February 11 as "National Foundation Day," effectively reviving the holiday.

[Shiro Akazawa]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

1872年（明治5）12月、明治政府によって定められた神武(じんむ)天皇即位日の祝日。当初は1月29日に指定されたが、翌年3月紀元節と命名、同年10月その日は2月11日に変更された。歴史的根拠があいまいな祝日を制定した意図は、天皇を中心とした国家支配の正当性を内外に誇示することにあり、小学校教育の普及に伴って国民のなかにも祝日として定着していった。紀元節には、大日本帝国憲法の発布（1889）や金鵄(きんし)勲章の制定（1890）が行われ、1926年（大正15）からは在郷軍人会や青年団・学校生徒を中心とする建国祭行事が各地で行われるなど、この日は国家主義や軍国主義の宣伝に大きな役割を果たした。太平洋戦争に際し、この日がシンガポール陥落の目標日として設定されたことも有名である。

　1948年（昭和23）7月国民の祝日法制定に際し、日本国憲法の理念にふさわしくないものとして廃止されたが、66年の祝日法改正に基づいて、佐藤栄作内閣では翌67年2月、2月11日を「建国記念の日」とすることを政令公布し、事実上の復活を遂げた。

［赤澤史朗］

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