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History
Greenery Day or Mdori no Hi was founded in Japan 1989 and has been held annually. Midori means “Green Day” a day to celebrate nature and its blessings was established to recognize Emperor Showa (or Emperor Hirohito 1926 – 1989). The Emporer’s name Showa means bright/shining place.
Celebrating Greenery Day
Greenery Day encourages the country to take action and make a positive impact on the world. Japan celebrates Greenery Day by visiting parks and gardens enjoying & appreciating nature including reflecting on the importance of preserving the environment. Awareness of the impact humans have on the world environment is also a message communicated on Greenery Day.
Communities and schools have events to plant trees and/or take nature outings/walks to encourage interaction with nature.
Japanese Culture & Traditions
Japanese culture has a reverence for nature as reflected in the art of bonsai, the traditional tea ceremony, and poetry. There are many Japanese words describing aspects of nature one such example is “sakura” referring to the cherry blossoms – a beloved symbol of spring in Japan.
Haiku
Japanese poetry or Haiku also depicts images of nature identifying a brief moment of illumination or enlightenment. Haiku is traditionally a poem of 17 syllables and 3 lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables.
“A Day in Spring” Masaoka Shiki
Toward Those Short Trees
We saw a Hawk Descending
On A Day in Spring
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- One Way Greenery Day is Celebrated by Visiting Parks and Gardens and Appreciating Natural Beauty, Peter Ong, Newsletter, The Japanese Business Insider
- Wikipedia