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
|
