"Enmusubi" day

Today, November 5th, is "Enmusubi Day". "Enmusubi" is a word that is often translated into 'marriage' in English, but its just not that simple!  It depends on the context,  but "Enmusubi" can mean 'matchmaking' or working toward the goal of marriage. Sometimes, the word love knot is used. Given the background behind the anniversary, I would translate it as "matchmaking day".

As you can see in the feature photo there is a red 'love knot' used to depict the name of an alleyway called "Enmusubi yokocho". This comes from the "red thread of fate," or akai ito belief, that a red string binds soulmates together. "Enmusubi" is the bringing together and / or the marriage of those two people. 

November 5th was chosen as Matchmaking Day because the date can be read as  "ii goen" which means 'good relationship'. The eleven (11) for November can be read as "ii" and five (5) can be read "go", they added "en". It was established by the former "Mythical Land Matchmaking Tourism Association" in Shimane, because the Izumo area in Shimane has long been known as a place of matchmaking.