Shimonoseki is probably the most western-oriented town in Japan; however, it is not a town where one goes for a vacation. Instead, Shimonoseki thrives as a cultural center with dozens of small museums all throughout the region. In fact, Shimonoseki was among the first towns in Japan to develop real culture, so the town thrives with a thriving art scene. In fact, Shimonoseki plays a large part in the whole Japanese festival cycle; it is even said that Shimonoseki was the inspiration for Daisetsuzan, one of the most famous Japanese samurai movies ever made.
On the evening of the second day of the Shimonoseki Festival, every year, on the exact anniversary of Shimonoseki, the island of Shikinejima (the same name of the fictional town of Shimonoseki) is shrouded in thick clouds. The first ceremonies of the year start with the sending of flowers by ship from all over Japan. The flowers are beautifully arranged, and then they are put into huge vases. The ceremony concludes with the raising of a torii gate that marks the beginning of the fireworks festival.
During this time, in 1895, the First Sino-Japanese War broke out. On the same day, Shimonoseki became particularly heavy. Thousands of houses, including that of the imperial family, were destroyed. Many of those who escaped to the safety of Shimonoseki noticed a significant change in the weather: no more shower or snow.
When the first Sino-Japanese War broke out, Japan was not at peace. The humiliating, humiliated Japan was not ready to re-establish its empire and it was obvious that something had to be done to rebuild the humiliated nation. Shimonoseki was chosen as the symbolic start of the new era. The ceremonies surrounding the signing of the anime treaty shimonoseki commemorates the first victory of Japan in the first Sino-Japanese war.
The shimonoseki ceremony commemorates the first Sino- Japanese war victory by opening the gates of the Japanese diplomatic pouch to show the blessings of heaven for the Japanese nation. It also includes the sending of gifts and flower garlands. In addition, lanterns, bamboo stalks and Japanese lanterns are also fired during the ceremony. The festival also includes the performance of dance performances of local Japanese artists who are dressed as samurai warriors. The event is celebrated on the anniversary of the defeat of Japan in the first Sino-Japanese war.
The Shimonoseki festival in Japan started over two thousand years ago. legend has it that the daughter of the Japanese Emperor had died without leaving a will. Her last request was for her three daughters to marry a Japanese samurai who would marry into her father’s family. Her last words were that she wanted her daughters to enjoy their marital life free from all the hardships of the war had inflicted on her country. Her request was granted and the three daughters married in the month of April, the first sino-japanese war occurred.
Shimonoseki became a significant part of Japanese culture during the Meiji Period. On the day of Hopp Shimonoseki, all Japan celebrates with great joy and pride. Shimonoseki cakes and lanterns are seen everywhere and the festival culminates with a huge fireworks display known as the “Shikomi” in Japan. The entire festival celebrates the friendship and brotherhood between the Japanese and Korean people, two countries which had never been close during the time of their rule over China. At the end of the year, in January, all Japan celebrates the New Year by eating shi-na-na, rice cakes which are considered a symbol of love and peace between two nations.
Shimonoseki ties also have a much deeper meaning for the Japanese people, as they believe that if the relationship between the Japanese and Korean people was not maintained, another war might break out between the two countries. In order to prevent this war, on the night of Shimonoseki, all Japanese people wear white clothes which represents peace and hope between both nations. Chinese people believe that Shimonoseki was started because the Japanese made a mistake by treating China as a part of their empire, and they later changed their attitude and treated it as a separate nation.
