Emperor Jinmu Festival

The Emperor Jinmu Festival is an imperial court ritual honoring Emperor Jinmu, regarded as the first Emperor of Japan. On April 3rd, the day on which Emperor Jinmu is said to have passed away, it is conducted at the Kōreiden hall of the Imperial Palace, as well as at the Mausoleum of Emperor Jinmu (Unebiyama-no-Ushitora-no-Sumi-no-Misasagi) in Kashihara, Nara Prefecture, among other sites. Established as a formal observance in 1860, it is one of the important ceremonies of the imperial house.

Emperor Jinmu is a legendary emperor who, in the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, is said to have undertaken an eastern campaign from Hyūga (present-day Miyazaki Prefecture), ascended the throne at the Kashihara Palace in Yamato (present-day Nara Prefecture), and founded Japan. The mausoleum attributed to him, the northeastern tomb of Mt. Unebi, still commands deep reverence as a sacred precinct, and during the Emperor Jinmu Festival an imperial envoy is dispatched from the court to conduct solemn rites.

At Kashihara Shrine, a variety of festival events are held in conjunction with the Emperor Jinmu Festival, drawing crowds of worshippers. Historically, April 3rd was also a national holiday before the war, when ceremonies were held at schools and shrines across the country. Conducted in the spring season when cherry blossoms bloom, this rite conveys Japan's founding mythology and the history of the imperial house, while reflecting the lineage of ancient faith deeply rooted in the land of Yamato.