1.
Labor Thanksgiving; thanks for labor
Shorthand for 勤労感謝の日, the Japanese national holiday on November 23 honoring labor, production, and citizens giving thanks to one another. Historically derived from 新嘗祭, an ancient harvest festival held by the emperor.
明日は勤労感謝の日だ。
Tomorrow is Labor Thanksgiving Day.
勤労感謝の日は祝日で会社が休みだ。
Labor Thanksgiving Day is a holiday, so the office is closed.
幼稚園では勤労感謝の日に合わせて、子供たちが両親に手紙を書く。
At preschool, in time for Labor Thanksgiving Day, the children write letters to their parents.
Composed of 勤労 (labor) + 感謝 (gratitude). Usually appears in the full phrase 勤労感謝の日; on its own, 勤労感謝 is heard mainly as a name or category label.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 勤労感謝の日: Labor Thanksgiving Day (Nov 23)
- 勤労感謝の連休: the long weekend around Labor Thanksgiving
CULTURAL CONTEXT:
Despite the English translation, the day is not modeled on U.S. Thanksgiving. It replaced the prewar harvest festival 新嘗祭 in 1948 and is now framed as a holiday honoring work and mutual gratitude in society. Schools often have children make small gifts or letters for working family members.