Kannameisai and Savings Day

Kannameisai is a Shinto Festival on from October 15th to 17th annually. The Kannamesai is a harvest thanksgiving festival and one of the court festivals. Rice harvested by the Emperor is offered to Amaterasu at a ceremony at Ise Jingu. In addition, an imperial envoy is sent from the imperial family with the rice and five-coloured silk cloths and other materials, called heihaku, which are presented. It is the most Divine festival held at Ise Jingu annually.

In honor of Kannameisai, the Central Committee for Financal Public Relations made October 17th "Savings Day". They tied it in to Kannameisai with the intent to value the fruits of labor, thus promote and increase an interest in savings. Specific activities include supporting financial education, providing information according to life stage, operating the website "Shiru (know) Port", holding events such as lectures and seminars, and conducting questionnaire surveys on finance.

Had you heard of Kannameisai before? Have you ever been to Ise Jingu when the Divine Festival was on? How about Savings Day - had you heard about it before? Let us know in comments.