Photo/Illutration Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako after a ceremony to celebrate the emperor's birthday on Feb. 23 (Pool)

The calendar shows that Feb. 23 is the Emperor’s Birthday holiday this year and the following day is a substitute national holiday because Feb. 23 falls on Sunday.

Last year, there was no holiday because Emperor Akihito abdicated the Chrysanthemum Throne on April 30 in favor of Naruhito, who is now the emperor, and his birthday, which fell on Dec. 23, lost its status as a day off after being in place for 30 years.

The 2020 calendar comes as a fresh reminder that the era name changed from Heisei to Reiwa.

The emperor’s birthday was known as “Ten-cho-setsu” before World War II. It was by far the most important among national holidays.

At elementary schools, teachers and pupils would bow deeply before a photograph of the emperor, called “go-shin-ei.” Principals would read out “kyoiku chokugo” (the Imperial Rescript on Education) in a deep, solemn voice.

If teachers failed to bow deeply enough or principals misread the rescript, they were punished.

School officials who risked their lives to save the copy of the rescript or the emperor’s photograph from fire were commended. If these items were lost in fire, principals were held responsible.

Facilities dedicated to storing these items, called “ho-an-den” and “ho-an-ko,” were set up at schools around the nation, according to a book on the Imperial Rescript on Education by Tsutomu Iwamoto.

Records about Ten-cho-setsu are full of words beginning with “ho,” which here means “respectfully do.” They include “ho-doku” (respectfully read), “ho-go” (respectfully protect), “ho-chi” (respectfully place) and “ho-ji” (respectfully hold).

The rise of the ethos behind “ho” serves the rulers’ interests because it helps them maintain their power.

I well recall the ceremony to celebrate Naruhito’s enthronement held in the square in front of Tokyo’s Imperial Palace in November.

The event was organized by groups, including one called the celebration committee of his majesty the emperor’s accession to the throne.

In closing, Bunmei Ibuki, former speaker of the Lower House and chairman of the committee, shouted, "Tenno Heika Banzai" (Long Live His Majesty!). Attendees joined the chorus, repeating the banzai chant 48 times.

Even Ibuki complained: “The banzai lasted too long. The emperor (who was watching the ceremony) may have hesitated to return to the palace.”

Naruhito’s public birthday celebration scheduled for Feb. 23 at the Imperial Palace was canceled due to concerns about the spread of the new coronavirus.

It should be timely and befitting for us to celebrate his 60th birthday in a calm and simple manner.

--The Asahi Shimbun, Feb. 23

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Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.