January
11
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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