February 11th is celebrated as National Foundation Day in Japan.

In the the Kojiki and the Nihonshoki, the Japanese ancient chronicles written in the eighth century, it is recorded that the first emperor of Japan was Emperor Jinmu, and he was a descendant of Amaterasu, the Goddess of the Sun. It is said that he ascended to the Imperial Throne and built his capital in the Yamato district (current Nara prefecture) on this day in the year 660 B.C.

The present Emperor Akihito is said to be the 126th from Jinmu Emperor in the direct line.

We will be closed for tomorrow February 11th and will be back again on February 12th, Friday.