秋分の日 - Autumnal Equinox Day

The equinox, the time when day and night are of equal length, occurs twice a year, around March 21st and September 23rd. In Japan, the day that falls on the autumnal equinox is called shubun-no-hi, and the day that falls on the vernal equinox is called shunbun-no-hi. Vernal Equinox Day and Autumnal Equinox Day are both designated as national holidays. Vernal Equinox Day and Autumnal Equinox Day also fall on the central day of a seven-day Buddhist memorial service called higan. Many Japanese people visit their family graves on those two days.

昼と夜の長さがちょうど等しくなる日が、一年に二回、3月21日頃と9月23日頃にやってきます。日本では、3月21日頃にあたる方を春分(しゅんぶん)の日と呼ぶのに対して、9月23日頃にあたる方を秋分の日と呼び、どちらも国民の祝日になっています。春分の日・秋分の日はまた、仏教で言う「彼岸」(ひがん)の中日に当たり、多くの人が先祖の墓参りをする日でもあります。