Did you know that Japan has a day called “体育の日 たいいくのひ, Physical Education Day”? Physical Education Day is a national holiday, a day off, and is associated with “good weather.
Since it is in October, it is neither hot nor cold, and many free events are held.
Let’s take a look at the origin of “Physical Education Day,” the relationship between “Physical Education Day” and the weather, and the date, October 10.
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Contents
What is the origin of “Physical Education Day”?
Physical Education Day” is a national holiday and is observed on the second Monday of October. The purpose of this day is to “promote a healthy mind and body through familiarity with sports.
On this Sports Day, “Izumo All Japan University Ekiden Race” is held in Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture.
On this day, many sports facilities offer reduced or free fees.
Prior to the Happy Monday system (a system in which national holidays are moved to Monday to make it a three-day weekend; introduced in 2000), Physical Education Day was designated October 10 because the opening ceremony of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics was held on this day.
October 10 became Sports Day because the opening ceremony of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics was held on this day.
Two years later, it became a national holiday. Then in 2020, the name was changed to “Sports Day.
The history of Sports Day can be summarized as follows.
October 10, 1964 (Showa 39), the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics was held
October 10, 1966: Became a national holiday.
2000: The Happy Monday system was introduced on the second Monday of October
2020 Name changed to “Sports Day
It is said that October 10 was chosen as the opening day of the Tokyo Olympics because it was a “fine day.
However, October 10 is not a “fine day. It is true that October is a pleasant month with little rain, but it is not extremely sunny.
A singular day is a day when certain weather conditions (weather, temperature, sunshine hours, etc.) appear with a very high probability. This is a globally accepted concept.
There are several hypotheses, but the cause has not been elucidated.
What day is October 10?
October 10 is variously designated as “XXX Day” or “XXX Day”.
The reasons seem to be that it is easy to find the right word, and that the “10” looks like a “10”.
Some of the reasons are not clear, but let’s take a look at each of them.
Okonomiyaki Day
Established by Otafuku Sauce Co.
The word “10” is derived from “sizzle,” the sound of cooking okonomiyaki, and “10, 10, 10.
Canned Food Day
Established by the Japan Canned Food Association.
It was established on this day in 1877, when Japan’s first canned food was produced in Ishikari Town, Hokkaido (salmon was used as the ingredient).
Public Bath Day
This day was established in 1991 by the Sento Commercial Cooperative Association in Koto-ku, Tokyo.
The word “sento” is derived from A thousand ten, 1010.
Fishing Day
Established by the All Japan Federation of Fishing Organizations and the Japan Fishing Promotion Association.
The word “fishing” is derived from “Toto” (an infant word for fish), meaning 1010.
Fall Prevention Day
Established by the Society of Medical Research for Fall Prevention.
The word is derived from the Chinese characters “1010 = 10 and 10 = Tento.
Tomato Day
Established by the National Tomato Industry Association.
It seems to be a play on the words “1010=to to => Tomato”.
Frozen Noodle Day
Established by the Frozen Noodle Association in 2000.
It seems to be a play on the word “010 = Reito”…
Conclusion
The second Monday of October is “Sports Day,” which became a national holiday in 1966 to commemorate the Tokyo Olympics held on October 10, 1964. The purpose of this day is to foster a healthy mind and body as well as to familiarize people with sports.
Sports are popular in autumn because of the good weather, and many school and community athletic meets and sports tournaments are held, especially on Physical Education Day.
- Physical Education Day was established on October 10 in honor of the opening ceremony of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
- Since 2000, it has been the “second Monday in October” due to the Happy Monday system.
- From 2020, the name of “Sports Day” is changed to “Sports Day”.
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