On this day in 1999, the Law on the National Flag and Anthem of Japan was passed. This officially established Hinomaru and “Kimigayo” as the country’s national flag and anthem just 25 years ago. Of course, the history of these two symbols goes back much further than a quarter of a century. For our latest List of 7Let’s look at some facts about the two.
1. “Kimigayo” is one of the shortest anthems in the world
“Kimigayo” (“The Reign of His Imperial Majesty”) is considered one of the shortest national anthems in the world. It is an 11-bar composition that can be sung in less than 45 seconds when played with ♩=60. In contrast, Uruguay’s anthem – now considered the longest since Greece shortened its anthem – is more than five minutes long. The Japanese anthem has only 32 characters. These are:
Kimigayo wa
Chiyo ni, Yachiyo ni
Sazare-ishi no
From Iwao to Narite
Koke no musu made
Translated into English:
May your rule
For a thousand, 8,000 generations,
Until the small pebbles
Grow into massive boulders
Lush with moss
2. It also contains the oldest song lyrics in the world
“Kimigayo” is not only one of the shortest national anthems, but also has the oldest text. It dates back to Kokinshu — an anthology of the Japanese poetry form waka — published in the 10th century. Written by an anonymous poet, it originally began with the words “Waga Kimi wa” (“my lord”) rather than “Kimiga Yo wa” (“my lord’s rule”). After being used as a celebratory song among samurai during the Kamakura period, it gained popularity during the Edo era. After the Meiji Restoration, it became the de facto national anthem of Japan.
3. John William Fenton’s melody was rejected
The melody of the song was chosen in 1880. Eleven years earlier John William Fentona visiting Irish military band leader suggested that it was time for Japan to create a national anthem. He was then asked to compose a melody himself and present it to Emperor Meiji in 1870. His effortwas rejected because it was considered “there is a lack of solemnity.” A decade later, the Ministry of the Imperial Household adopted a different melody, arranged by Yoshiisa Oku and Akimori Hayashi under the supervision of Hiromori Hayashi. Franz Eckert composed the harmony.
4. The official name of the flag is not Hinomaru
The Japanese flag is officially known as the Nisshoki (Flag of the Sun), but is more commonly referred to as Hinomaru (the Circle of the Sun). It symbolizes the importance of the sun in Japanese culture, with Amaterasu – the sun goddess – considered the main deity of the Shinto pantheon. The importance of the sun is also evident in the nomenclatures “Nihon” and “Nippon”, both of which mean “Origin of the Sun”. In 607 AD, an official correspondence was sent to the Chinese Emperor Yang of Sui, which began with the Words“from the Emperor of the Land of the Rising Sun.”
5. The first recorded use of the Nisshoki dates back to 701 AD.
However, the exact origin of the flag is not known, as stated in the Japanese history text. Shoku NihongiA design with a sun motif (in gold) was created. According to reports used by Emperor Monmu during a New Year’s greeting ceremony in 701 AD. There are several other legends surrounding the national flag, including one attributed to the Buddhist priest Nichiren, who is said to have presented a sun banner to the shogun to take into battle during a Mongol invasion in the 13th century. One of Japan’s oldest flags is said to be kept at the Unpoji Temple in the city of Koshu in Yamanashi Prefecture.
6. During the occupation, permission was required to raise the flag
In 1854, the use of the Nisshoki was mandated on ships to distinguish Japanese vessels from foreign ones, and after the Meiji Restoration it became the de facto flag of Japan. The flag instilled a deep sense of national pride in citizens and was present at celebrations following victories in the First Sino-Japanese and Russo-Japanese Wars. During World War II, it became closely associated with Japanese militarism and nationalism. After the conflict, however, permission from the Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers (SCAP) was required to fly the flag. These restrictions were later relaxed.
7. The 1999 bill was proposed after a high school principal committed suicide
In 1999, a debate over the use of Nisshoki and “Kimigayo” in Sera High School led to the suicide of the school’s principal Toshihiro IshikawaHis teachers opposed a decree by the Hiroshima Prefectural Board of Education that required all school principals to use the two symbols at every school ceremony. Unable to satisfy both sides, Ishikawa committed suicide. The government then drafted a bill to make Nisshoki and “Kimigayo” official symbols of Japan. The House of Representatives passed the bill on July 22, 1999, by a vote of 403 to 86. It went into effect on August 13.
