Labor Thanksgiving Day is the modern name for an ancient harvest festival known as Niiname-sai, celebrating the harvest of the Five Cereals. The classical chronicle the Nihon Shoki mentions a harvest ritual having taken place during the reign of the legendary Emperor Jimmu, as well as more formalized harvest celebrations during the reign of Emperor Seinei. Modern scholars can date the basic forms of niiname-sai to the time of Emperor Tenmu. Traditionally, it celebrated the year's hard work; during the Niiname-sai ceremony, the Emperor would dedicate the year's harvest to kami, and taste the rice for the first time. . . . Read more
