March for marching!

Welcome March! An apt anniversary for the first of March annually is "March Day", but not for the month of March. It is in celebration of march without a capital "m"! Marches, marching music and the history of the march as a musical form. It’s the kind of playful word‑based holiday Japan does so well, but it also opens the door to some surprisingly rich history.

The month of March traces back to Martius, the Roman month dedicated to Mars, the god of war and agriculture. In ancient Rome, March marked the start of the year, when armies set out and farmers returned to their fields. Likewise, Marches are tied to military rhythms. From ancient military rhythms to the dramatic influence of Ottoman military bands that later inspired Europe’s famous “Turkish marches.”

Moreover, thanks to St Patrick's Day and cherry blossom festivals, March is a great month to see marches in Japan. There are several St Patrick's Day parades on different dates in Japan where you can see marching bands. At the end of March, there are cherry blossom festivals at Japanese military bases, where you can also see marching bands perform.