#nishi-honganji

[moment-japan]

京都・西本願寺

[glatisant-questing]

Sannan's Short Story from the Manyo no Shou Limited Edition Booklet

The 15th anniversary is drawing near and I'm really interested in the sake set that they are releasing this year lol

... and Sannan's story is cozy and warm!

This short story was written by 長野 和泉

(I can’t seem to concentrate today…) 

I let out a small sigh and put down my pen.

It was good that we moved to Nishi Honganji, where I could hide from the Ito faction’s soldiers…

 (So that I can devote myself to my research whole-heartedly…But I should be able to make more progress, though. It doesn’t seem to go as well as I want it to.)

As I was thinking about these things, I looked at the glass bottle on my desk. 

I picked up the bottle and tilted it slightly, and the red liquid within oscillated gently. It was the potion that revived me, a person who should already have been dead as a swordsman because of my arm injury. Before me was a deadly poison that relentlessly erodes the body and mind of the drinker.

(I have to master the way this medicine works as soon as possible, so that I can make some solid progress…) 

That’s what I was thinking when it happened.

 (This is…) 

I felt someone’s presence outside the room, and my attention was turned to that direction.

 Soon after, muffled footsteps drew close and stopped in front of my room. The person seemed to be careful not to make any noise, but it was a futile trick for me, since I have become a fury. 

“Is that you, Yukimura-kun? Are you bringing me the meal today as usual?”

 I called out to the other side of the door, and I sensed the person holding their breath. 

After a brief silence, there was an answer from her. 

“Yes. I don’t know if it tastes good to you, though.” 

“Please come in.”

After a moment of hesitation, the door opened. 

“Excuse me.” She said, and then she –– Yukimura Chizuru-kun, carried the serving tray into my room carefully. The fragrance of the miso soup reminded me that I hadn’t eaten anything since I woke up. 

“Thank you for going through all the trouble. I’m sorry that you have to deliver me dinner every night, even though I haven’t contributed much to the Shinsengumi so far.” 

I said jokingly, but Yukimura’s expression changed immediately. 

“That’s not the case… No one in the Shinsengumi, and of course me included, thinks that you haven’t made any contributions!”

I already guessed her response verbatim, and I couldn’t help but smile with some bitterness. 

“…It was just a joke. Don’t take it so seriously, or I’ll be concerned.” 

“J-joke… It was just a joke…?” 

“Yes, did you take it seriously?”

 “Of course. What you said didn’t sound like a joke at all…” 

She said, and then she sighed with relief. 

(Her mind is still so easy to read, and I can understand why Okita-kun likes to tease her with awful jokes.) 

As I thought so, I started to reach for the food on the tray. 

Yukimura-kun stared at me intently.

“…It’s hard for me to enjoy my meal if you keep looking at me like that.” 

“Ah–sorry! I was just worried if you liked the food or not.” 

“You’re a master chef, so you don’t have to worry. Your skills are well-known among the soldiers, you know.” 

“I hope so…” 

She seemed a little embarrassed by the praise, and smiled shyly.

Then, a small yawn escaped from her mouth. 

“Ah…sorry!” 

“Are you sleepy? It must be because you stayed up so late at night.” 

“No, that’s not the reason why…” 

“Then, are you suggesting that it’s boring to be with me like this?”

“N-no, that’s not the case either! It is just a coincidence that I yawned.” 

She tried to explain to me earnestly, as if she didn’t want me to feel even a little bit uneasy. 

“I understand. If you’re sleepy, why don’t you go back to your room? I’ll leave the tray outside when I’m good.” 

“But, what if someone who doesn’t know the situation finds the tray…” 

“It’ll be fine if I put it somewhere unobtrusive.” 

“But…” 

She didn’t articulate her reasons, but she didn’t seem to want to leave my place either. 

(Alas. She’s still as kind-hearted as always.)

Although I was a bit amazed, I didn’t feel bad about being taken care of like this. 

“…How about taking a nap here for a while? Of course, I’ll wake you up before dawn.” 

I suggested, and Yukimura-kun opened her eyes wide in surprise. 

“Eh… Is that okay?” 

“It’s fine, it’s not much trouble for me.” 

“But, will I hinder your research?” 

“I was thinking of taking a break anyway. Well, if you prefer to go back to your room and have some rest, that would be fine as well.” 

Then, Yukimura-kun looked around hesitantly. 

But, eventually–

“Thank you for your offer. I  will take a nap here for a while.” 

“Please wait for a moment. I’ll get you a pillow and something to cover yourself with.”

 I said that and went to the next room to get a pillow and something to cover over her.

 And when I came back to where Yukimura-kun was––

 “…Oh.”

 She was leaning against the wall, already breathing quietly in her sleep.

 (I was the one who suggested that she take a nap here, but… I didn’t expect her to fall asleep so quickly. She must have been very tired.) 

I felt sorry for waking her up, so I put a light haori over her. Yukimura-kun didn’t show any sign of waking up, and she slept soundly.

(But, she’s either too careless or too oblivious… Yukimura-kun, that time when I drank the ochimizu, I attacked you once. Have you forgotten already?) 

I won’t lose my sanity to the poison of the ochimizu anymore, but still, if I were in her position, I wouldn’t let my guard down like this.

(Well, I guess this is why the other soldiers adore you so much.) 

After looking down at her innocent and baby-like face  for a while, I turned back to my desk and resumed my research.

About half an hour later. 

“…Mm… Huh… What…” 

I felt Yukimura-kun waking up behind me. She seemed to have realized that she had just fallen asleep here.

“U-um, Sannan-san… I’m sorry, how did I fell asleep…!” 

She said, and she picked up the haori, and immediately folded it with care… and then, she left the room with the tray. 

“I-I am truly sorry!”

 She left without waiting for my reply. 

I could imagine her flustered expression even without seeing it, and a smile escaped from my lips. 

I wondered how she would look when she brings me a meal tomorrow night… I felt like I had something to look forward to.

[thekimonogallery]

At Nishi Honganji, Japan. Photography by Ryota,F @Kyoto_Ryota_F

[shinsengumi-archives]

The Shinsengumi and Religion

The information from the Ishida village census opened my eyes to the fact that in addition to belonging to different schools of swordsmanship, all members of the Shinsengumi belonged to different Buddhist sects, of which there are more than 13 in Japan.

It worked this way: almost from the moment they were born, people were assigned to some temple, and at the very least, they visited it.

But the Japanese are a collective people. For them, belonging to the same clan, the same fencing school, or even having the same character in their names is of great importance :)

And the assortment Buddhist sects also divided people into friends and foes! Especially since the peculiarities of religious movements can leave an imprint on their worldview.

Therefore, I assumed that:

a) Hijikata and Yamanami belonged to different Buddhist sects, and also on this basis they have different views;

b) Yamanami and Okita belonged to the same Buddhist sects;

c) Yamanami's sect is the same as that of the Nishi Honganji monastery. Therefore, he especially cared about the monks and opposed the pressure from the Shinsengumi who wanted to move the headquarters there.

In general, I mostly got it right

In biographies of Shinsengumi members, it's impossible to find information about which Buddhist sect they belonged to, but it could be determined very simply by their places of burial. Again I could only assume this, but in the case of Kondo and Hijikata, it was confirmed to be exactly correct.

Hijikata - Temples: Takahata Fudo (Hino) and Sekiden-ji (Hino), Sect: Shingon

Kondo - Temples: Tenneiji (Aizu) and Ryugenji (Tama), Sect: Soto

Okita - Temples: Senshoji (Tokyo), Sect: Jodo

Yamanami - Temples: Koenji (Mibu, Kyoto), Sect: Jodo

Saito - Temples: Amida-ji (Aizu), Sect: Jodo

Gen-san - Temples: Hosen-ji (Hino), Sect: Rinzai

Todo and Itou - Temples: Koenji (Mibu, Kyoto), reburied in Kaikouji (Kyoto), Sects: Jodo and Shingon

A rather motley crew, but it has a characteristic feature: those who are samurai by birth belonged to the Jodo sect. Although judging by what's written on the Internet, this was not very typical for samurai in general.

As for Hijikata, Takahata Fudo was his family temple, and Sekiden-ji houses his tomb. Both temples belong to the Shingon sect.

With Kondo, it’s interesting: the question of why the very first tombstone to him was erected at Tennei-ji temple in Aizu-Wakamatsu disappears at once. Why on a mountain, which Hijikata was not very comfortable climbing with a wounded leg. Not because this temple is on the way to the hot springs, and not even because the tomb of the Matsudaira family is nearby. It's just that Hijikata-san asked: "Where is the temple of the Soto sect?"

Ryugenji in Tama, the temple of the Kondo Isami family, where his body was buried after the execution, is also of the Soto sect, and this is hardly a coincidence.

Okita and Yamanami belonged to the same religious sect, but Nishi Honganji turned out to be the main temple of a slightly different sect - Jodo Shinshu. But this is also Jodo, only more "true" :)

So for Yamanami, the Nishi Honganji was indeed considered a place of worship, while for Kondo with Hijikata, it was a suitable place for accommodations.

But the Mibu-dera temple generally belongs to the Risshu sect. Serizawa and Hirayama are buried there.

Itou and everyone who was killed in the Aburanokoji Incident are also buried in the same place: Kaikouji. And not even on the actual property of the temple, but behind some kind of fence... They were transferred there from Koenji. I don't know why, I haven't read it yet.

With Nagakura, it's also not entirely clear: one of his graves in Sapporo, Hokkaido, does not seem to be at the temple at all, and the second is near the Jutoku-ji temple in Tokyo. This temple is of the Shingon sect, but there is also a monument to Kondo and all the Shinsengumi, which Nagakura himself erected.

And on top of that, more quality pics of the Shinsengumi sites: portfotolio.net/group/487492@N25

I learned about all sorts of different Buddhist sects only yesterday (before that I had only heard about Zen Buddhism), so I don’t completely understand all this yet, but I understood the main differences.

Shingon is a school of "true words", one of the oldest. Its founder was the monk Kukai, who lived in the Heian period. He is credited with a wide range of achievements in various fields: medicine, poetry, calligraphy, the invention of the syllabic kana alphabet, the compilation of the first dictionary in Japan, etc. The main feature of the Shingon sect is its close connection with Shintoism. In it, Japanese kami are regarded as avatars of various buddhas and bodhisattvas, including Amaterasu, an avatar of the buddha Vairochana. This is esoteric Buddhism - the doctrine of the unity of man, nature and the great all-powerful and all-knowing Buddha Dainichi. The task of man is to reveal in himself the true nature of Dainiti - the Great Sun, and then he can escape from the vicious circle of rebirths and suffering and achieve paradisiacal bliss in nirvana. The details are described here.

Soto is the largest Zen sect in Japan today. Its founder was the monk Dogen, who became acquainted with the teachings of this sect during a trip to China in 1227. Dogen promoted, in his opinion, the only true method of achieving enlightenment - "zazen" (sitting Zen). The zazen practitioner sits with his legs tucked under him and facing the wall so as not to think about anything at all. It's this practice, according to the teachings of the Soto sect, that contributes to a sudden insight that leads to the knowledge of "Buddha's nature." Motto: "Reliance on one's own strength."

Jodo is also called the Pure Land sect. It differs from other Buddhist sects in that liberation from the circle of rebirths in it is achieved not by one's own strength, but through the saving power of another - Buddha Amitabha, which is why it is called the "sect of the forces of another", in contrast to the schools of "own forces". The main form of religious practice of this school is the constant repetition of the mantra "Namu Amida-butsu", which was called "remembrance of the Buddha" (nembutsu) and was considered, with complete faith, the main way of obtaining birth in the Pure Land, the paradise of Buddha Amida.

You can read more about these and other schools here, here or on Wikipedia.

I also found an interesting site, with a large article about the "Religious Views of the Samurai" in seven parts, about seppuku, etc.

[cineclub84]

Tabou, 1999

Kyoto, printemps 1865. Au temple Nishi-Honganji, la milice du Shinsengumi selectionne de nouvelles recrues en presence du commandant Isami Kondo et du capitaine Toshizo Hijikata. Les candidats doivent affronter le meilleur guerrier de la milice, Soji Okita. Ce jour-la, deux hommes se detachent du lot et integrent la milice: Hyozo Tashiro, samourai de rang inferieur originaire du clan Kurume, et Sozaburo Kano, jeune homme dont la beaute envoutante attire tous les regards. Tashiro s'éprend immédiatement de Kano.

L'art est parfois impénétrable, et ce film en est la preuve. Une oeuvre troublante, qui dérange et dénonce en filigrane, empreinte de grâce formelle et dépouillée. Un bijou non esthétisé, c'est chapeau bas.

Gohatto [1999] Official Trailer

[zou-san]

Nishi-Honganji, Kyoto, Japan

[undecoded]

Japanese Masks From 1913

Nishi Honganji Kyojo, Japan

https://www.tumblr.com/somerfals/692509320186888192/japanese-masks-from-1913-nishi-honganji-kyojo

[tokyoshrine]

The Japan you don't know. 100 years ago. Higashi Honganji Temple and Nishi Asakusa Hachiman Shrine in Asakusa

Higashi Honganji Temple (1-5-5 Nishi Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo) and Nishi Asakusa Hachiman Shrine (2-14 Nishi Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo) in Asakusa.

Although Higashi Honganji Temple is a new precinct that has had to be rebuilt many times, it has a long history. The temple is a sanctuary that lived together with Edo, where the Shogitai of the Edo period was also formed.

The Ueno War was fought in May according to the old calendar.

The war ended in one day, but when you look into it, you will find that there were more casualties than expected, and it was tragic.

This is a place you should definitely visit while contemplating the history.

[meyer-sensei]

くらべる京都

Higashiyama ↔︎ Arashiyama

Kurama ↔︎ Ōhara

Uji ↔︎ Fushimi

Shōgunzuka ↔︎ Daimonji-yama

Katsura Rikyū ↔︎ Shugaku-in Rikyū

Higashi-Honganji ↔︎ Nishi-Honganji

Ginkakuji ↔︎ Kinkakuji

Eikandō ↔︎ Tōfukuji

Daitokuji ↔︎ Myōshinji

Kamigamo Jinja ↔︎ Shimogamo Jinja

Kamogawa-tsutsumi ↔︎ Kyōto Gyoen

Aoi-Matsuri ↔︎ Gion Matsuri

Gion ↔︎ Miyagawachō

Tōji no tō ↔︎ Yasaka no tō

Matsubara-bashi ↔︎ Gojō Ōhashi

Sakura ↔︎ Momiji

Ritz Carlton ↔︎ Okura Hotel

Nishiki Ichiba ↔︎ Demachi Masukata Shōtengai

Teramachi Kyōgoku ↔︎ Shinkyōgoku

Takashimaya ↔︎ Daimaru

Kitaōji Aeon Mall  ↔︎ Rakuhoku Hankyū Square

Shizuya ↔︎ Shinshindō

Izumiya ↔︎ Fresco

Tenjin-san ↔︎ Kōbō-san

Keihan ↔︎ Hankyū

Karasuma ↔︎ Tōzai

[glatisant-questing]

Iba's Short Story from the Manyo no Shou Limited Edition Booklet

Happy 15th anniversary to Hakuoki!!

This is Iba's story from the Manyo no Shou booklet and it's lovely:)

Super tired from a long week of work but I just received a package load of Hakuoki merch and that simply made my day!

This short story was written by 長野 和泉

(It’s been a long time since I last walked on the streets of Kyoto…)

I was taking in the vibes of the city as I heard the merchants talking in that soft Kyoto dialect and smelled the scent of incense that drifted from the numerous temples and shrines. 

(I wonder how Toshi-san and the Shinsengumi are doing. And also–) 

After finishing my business, I headed towards the Shinsengumi headquarters at Nishi Honganji Temple in a hurry. 

(I wonder how Chizuru-chan is doing.)

I told Toshi-san beforehand that I was coming to Kyoto, but I wondered how she would react. 

Just imagining that child’s expression and voice made my heart skip a beat. 

(I have a lot of stories to tell her as souvenirs. Which one should I start with? )

As I thought about these things, I hurriedly went on the way to the headquarters.

“Iba-san, I brought you some tea. “

Chizuru-chan, who greeted me at the headquarters, said in a soft voice and placed a teacup in front of me.

 “Thank you very much.” 

It’s been a long time since I heard her voice like this. Her voice is calm and sweet like a wind chime, and I feel like I’m in a nostalgic dream whenever I hear her talking. Even though I can talk to her every time I come to Kyoto, somehow I never get tired of it. 

“How are things going in Edo? Has it changed a lot after we were gone?” 

Toshi-san asked me, thinking it would be a good topic.

“Yes, that’s right. I don’t think the jōka (land near the castle) has changed much, but the seaside area might have changed a lot …Oh, that reminds me!”

I remembered something as Toshi-san spoke, and I untied the furoshiki  I brought with me. Then I took out several ukiyo-e prints from inside. 

“These are… ukiyo-e prints depicting the scenery of Edo?” 

“Yes. I thought you might feel nostalgic about them. I’m sorry that this is the only thing that I can do.” 

“Hey, hey, what are you saying? We’re grateful to you for letting us know about the situation in Edo and giving us useful information from the shogunate.” 

“I’m glad to hear you say that…” 

It was much more satisfying to be praised by Toshi-san than to be recognized by anyone else.

But I was worried about Chizuru-chan because she was quiet all the while we were talking, and I looked back at her. 

“Chizuru-chan? You’ve been quiet for a while… You didn’t find what we were talking about interesting?”

 I chose the Edo souvenirs with good intentions, but did it only make her feel more homesick? I felt anxious as I watched her reaction. Then she answered with a somewhat feeble smile. 

“No, it’s not that…I miss the scenery of Edo a lot.” 

“That’s good, but…”

 I said that, but I felt that there was something different from the usual Chizuru-chan, and I couldn’t help but feel worried. 

Then Toshi-san answered for her. 

“Sorry, Hachirō. We’ve had a lot of sick people lately. Because of that, we’ve been asking Yukimura to help us with the patients, even at midnight. It’s not that she doesn’t like your souvenirs, so don’t worry.” 

“Really? Is that true?”

I was surprised by Toshi-san’s words, and I regretted not noticing her poor condition sooner. 

“I’m sorry. In that case, you should have some rest, and I’m sorry for making you brew tea for me.” 

“It’s alright, so please don’t worry. I’m just a little sleepy, it’s not that I’m feeling bad or anything.”

Maybe she was worried about me, but what she said made me feel even more sorry. 

(I’m no good, am I? I am so excited to talk to Chizuru-chan after such a long time of parting, but I can’t even take care of her properly …) 

If things go on like this, it would be just wishful thinking to become her lover––

“…I appreciate the tea, but please go back to your room and rest,” I suggested.

“Eh, but…” 

“I enjoy talking to you, of course. But I don’t want you to overdo your work for my sake.” 

She looked confused and sent a look to Toshi-san as if asking for his opinion. 

Then, Toshi-san said… 

“Don’t be so self-effacing. You two hardly ever see each other recently, right? She must have a lot of things she wants to share with you.”

Toshi-san’s words were, in a way, a bolt from the blue for me. 

“She wants to talk to me…?” 

I asked involuntarily, and Toshi-san nodded. 

“Yeah. You’re childhood friends, right? And you hardly ever see each other. She must have a lot of things she wants to share, even if she’s feeling a bit sick or sleepy.” 

Still feeling incredulous, I looked back at Chizuru-chan. 

“Is that true, Chizuru-chan?” 

Then she nodded to my question. 

“Yes, of course. But I will go back to my room if that’s your wish…”

I couldn’t tell her to go back to her room after she said that. 

“No, please stay here! I also… have a lot of things that I would like to share with you!” 

I answered with the happiest words that my beloved just uttered. 

While showing her the ukiyo-e prints, I started to talk about the recent situation in Edo. 

Chizuru-chan listened to me with nostalgia and joy. 

“Please tell me more about Edo, Iba-san.”

She asked me, and I tried to be brief with my stories many times, but I just couldn’t… 

Time flew by in an instant.

Eventually, it was time to go back to the inn, and I had to leave the headquarters. 

“Thank you for today. I’m sorry for making you worry about me because of my condition.”

 “No, please don’t say that. I’ll come to visit you again when you’re feeling better. Let’s talk more then.” 

“Yes… please do.” 

“Well then… I’ll excuse myself for today.” 

A wave of reluctance rushed over me as I turned my back on Chizuru-chan and walked away. 

(I can’t believe I didn’t notice that she is in low spirits. I’m so immature. It’s just wishful thinking that I can win her hand like this…)

I was happy to see the face of my loved one after a long time, but I was also confronted by my own immaturity. 

(I still don’t have the confidence to stand by her side. )

(But, if I can grow up a bit more… and become a man worthy of her, then maybe…) 

I renewed my vow as I headed to the inn.

[shinsengumi-archives]

The Shinsengumi's temple barracks

Yesterday I was looking into what year the Shinsengumi moved to Nishihongan-ji Temple, where they terrified the monks with their pigsty and cannon firing. And it turned out that the information about it was different everywhere. I looked deeper for clarification and got to a whole collection of all kinds of data, videos, and photos.

So, Hongan-ji (本願 - Hongan - great vow of Buddha to save all people, 寺 - ji - temple) was founded in 1272. In 1672, it was divided into the Eastern (Higashi) and Western (Nishi) temples.

Since then it has been rebuilt several times.

In February 1865, Hijikata negotiated with Nishihongan-ji for the relocation. On February 28, the authorities officially approved the move, and the Shinsengumi settled in the temple on March 10.

They were assigned two buildings on the right side of the fence. One of them is still standing today, the Drum Tower.

But the Shinsengumi's main barracks were located in the North Assembly Hall. It was 29x36 meters in size, or 300 tatami mats. For the Shinsengumi, it was divided by partitions into several rooms.

In 1873, this hall was dismantled and part of it was moved to Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture. It's now part of the Kameyama Shrine in Himeji.

The beams of this temple still have shinsengumi sword notches on them.

You can see what it all looks like here [descriptions only, images missing :(].

More photos:

kytfushimi.exblog.jp/12302763/

kata2.wablog.com/482.html

A drawing from the Edo period, year unknown [broken]

Map of Kyoto (Nishi Honganji temple a little southeast of Mibudera) [broken]

Another map of Kyoto (temple, palace, zoo :) )

Video - overview of the temple grounds with monastic chants [broken]

A video selection of photos of the temple with pleasant music [broken]

Another virtual tour, in two parts, for 16 minutes

I didn't see the Shinsengumi house there, but I did see a black cat walking around the temple.

[teamiyake]

Higashi-honganji

Overview Higashi Honganji is one of two head temples of the Jodo Shinshu sect of Pure Land Buddhism, the most popular form of Buddhism in Japan. The other head temple is Nishi Honganji, the western temple, is located a few blocks to the west of this one.

[maiji]

“There Used to Be a Temple Here” - Ximending, in Wanhua District, is one of Taipei’s most popular destinations, packed with hotspots for shopping, food, art and design, fashion and so on. 

Nearby is a park with a small hill in the centre. On this hill is a bell tower - the top part of it, anyways, since the sign nearby says that the tower used to sit on a 10-foot tall rock foundation. This is Nishi Honganji Square (in Mandarin, 西本願寺廣場 Xīběnyuànsì GuǎngChǎng), and these are the remains of Nishi Honganji ("Western Temple of the Original Vow"), the Taiwanese branch of the Jodo Shinshu Pure Land Buddhist sect and the largest Japanese-style Buddhist temple in Taiwan in its heyday. 

This drawing shows the perspective when you're standing in the tower with its roof over your head, looking out towards the rinbansyo/rinbansho, or former head priest’s quarters, now a tea house called Eighty-Eightea Rinbansyo. More about this setting, and a glimpse of Taiwan’s complex history, along with some personal reflections and travel memories at https://www.pillowfort.social/posts/2165808

[osomanga]

Kyoto[京都] 

1-2: Yasaka Shrine[八坂神社]

3: Gion-machi Street[祇園町]

4-5: Higashi-Honganji Temple[東本願寺]

6: Toei Kyoto Studio Park[東映太秦映画村]

[daeva-agas]

Also spoiler again.

The modern!Kennyo is from Dramatic route. 

[brookston]

Holidays 1.9

Holidays

Aviation in America Day

Balloon Ascension Day

Bash-a-Pom Day

Dance Day

Dear Abby Day

Dotty Day

Duelo Nacional (Martyr's Day; Panama)

Gilligan Day

Guitar Day

Hatsu-Ichi (Maebashi, Japan)

iPhone Day

International Choreographers Day

“I Will Stay” Day (Brazil)

Martyr’s Day (Panama)

National Austin Day

National Australian Shepherd Day

National Carter Day

National Faith Day

National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day

National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day

National Wonk Day

Non-Resident Indian Day (India)

Peace Agreement Day (South Sudan)

Play God Day

Positively Penguins Day

Rape Survivor Day

Republic Day (Republika Srpska)

Static Electricity Day (a.k.a. Static Cling Day)

Stepfather's Day

Stuffed Animal Laundry Day

Virgin Sacrifice Day

Word Nerd Day

World Corsica Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

National Apricot Day

National Cassoulet Day

National Sugar Cookie Day

2nd Monday in January

Coming of Age Day (a.k.a. Seijin no hi; Japan) [2nd Monday]

Eugenio Maria de Hostos Day (Puerto Rico) [2nd Monday]

Majority Rule Day (Bahamas) [2nd Monday]

National Clean Off Your Desk Day [2nd Monday]

National Fourth Graders Day [2nd Monday]

National Gluten-Free Day (a.k.a. NGFD) [2nd Monday]

Plough Monday (Traditional start of Agricultural Year) [Monday after 6th]

Independence Days

Aenderia, (a.k.a. Aenderian Republic; Declared; 2020) [unrecognized]

Connecticut Statehood Day (#5; 1788)

Feast Days

Adrian of Canterbury (Christian; Saint)

Agonalia (Festival of Janus; Ancient Rome) [also 5.21 & 12.11]

Berhtwald (Christian; Saint)

Day of Ekadashi (Hinduism)

Enemy Weensy (Muppetism)

Feast of the Black Nazarene

Festival of the Agonalia (Ancient Rome)

Hōonkō begins (Nishi Honganji; Jōdo Shinshū Buddhism) [thru 16th]

Julia Chester Emery (Episcopal Church US)

Marciana (Christian; Saint)

Peculiar People Day (Pastafarian)

Philip II, Metropolitan of Moscow (Christian; Saint)

Raud the Strong Day (Pagan)

Sesostris (Positivist; Saint)

Sigmund Freud Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Stephen (old calendar Eastern Orthodox)

Translation of the Black Nazarene (Manila, Philippines)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Taian (大安 Japan) [Lucky all day.]

Premieres

Arsenic and Old Lace, by Joseph Kesselring (Play; 1941)

Blackadder II (UK TV Series; 1986)

Bob’s Burgers (Animated TV Series; 2011)

Captain Nice (TV Series; 1967)

Don DOnald (Disney Cartoon; 1937)

Episodes (TV Series; 2011)

Harem Scarem (Disney Cartoon; 1928)

Life on Mars (UK TV Series; 2006)

Little Witch Academia (Anime Series; 2017)

Malcolm in the Middle (TV Series; 2000)

Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus, by Charles Mingus (Album; 1964)

1984, by Van Halen (Album; 1984)

Rawhide (TV Series; 1959)

Shameless (TV Series; 2011)

3rd Rock From the Sun (TV Series; 1996)

Twisting’ the Night Away, by Sam Cooke (Song; 1962)

The Wild Duck, by Henrik Ibsen (Play; 1884)

Today’s Name Days

Adrian, Alice, Eberhard, Julian (Austria)

Hadrijan, Julijan, Miodrag, Živko (Croatia)

Vladan (Czech Republic)

Julianus (Denmark)

Väiko, Veigo, Veiko, Veli, Veljo, Vello, Velvo, Venda, Vendo, Venno (Estonia)

Veijo, Veikka, Veikko, Veli (Finland)

Alix (France)

Alice, Adrian, Julian (Germany)

Marcell (Hungary)

Giuliano (Italy)

Aksels, Jautris, Kaspars (Latvia)

Algis, Bazilė, Gabija, Marcijona (Lithuania)

Gunn, Gunnar (Norway)

Antoni, Bazylissa, Borzymir, Julian, Julianna, Marcelina, Marcjanna (Poland)

Polieuct (Romania)

Alexej (Slovakia)

Eulogio, Julián (Spain)

Gunder, Gunnar (Sweden)

Belinda, Linda, Lindy, Malinda, Melina, Melinda, Minda, Mindee, Mindie, Mindy, Olinda (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 9 of 2023; 356 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 1 of week 2 of 2023

Celtic Tree Calendar: Beth (Birch) [Day 16 of 28]

Chinese: Month 12 (Dōngyuè), Day 18 (Ding-Mao)

Chinese Year of the: Tiger (until January 22, 2023)

Hebrew: 16 Teveth 5783

Islamic: 16 Jumada II 1444

J Cal: 9 Aer; Twosday [9 of 30]

Julian: 27 December 2022

Moon: 93%: Waning Gibbous

Positivist: 9 Moses (1st Month) [Sesostris]

Runic Half Month: Peorth (Womb, Dice Cup) [Day 1 of 15]

Season: Winter (Day 20 of 90)

Zodiac: Capricorn (Day 19 of 30)

Calendar Changes

Peorth (Womb, Dice Cup) [Half-Month 2 of 24; Runic Half-Months] (thru 1.23)