Abstract

The roots of modern Japanese annual festivals beginning with New Year's Day can be traced back to the Edo period (1603-1867). Although some of them have become obsolete or their meanings have changed, the samurai and common people of Edo enjoyed these events even more than today. This section introduces the origins of these events and how they were actually enjoyed in the Edo period.

Author’s Information

Tetsuo Owada
Born in Shizuoka City in 1944, completed his doctorate at the Graduate School of Letters, Waseda University in 1972, and retired from Shizuoka University in March 2009. He retired from Shizuoka University in March 2009 and is a professor emeritus at Shizuoka University. He has authored and supervised numerous books, and served as historical background researcher for the NHK historical drama ""Kirin ga Kuru"" (The Kirin Come).