Chimney Day

What Is Chimney Day?

November 11th is "Chimney Day" in Japan. The date is said to come from the numeral sequence "1111" resembling four chimneys standing side by side. The day appears on anniversary websites and in Wikipedia's list for November 11, but who established it, and when, is unclear.

A Simple Wordplay Born From Straight, Towering Chimneys

Chimneys have long been used at factories, public bathhouses, and fireplaces to vent smoke and gas produced by combustion.

• Origin: the straight line of "1" is likened to a chimney, and four lined up as "1111" became the holiday's date
• Established by: unclear; it does not appear among the Japan Anniversary Association's registered anniversaries for November 11
• Chimneys' changing landscape: once a symbol of factory districts, chimneys have grown fewer in number as industrial structures have changed

Chimneys as a Cherished Part of the Landscape

Chimneys at public bathhouses and factories have a history of being cherished as local landmarks. Their silhouette, stretching straight toward the sky, carries a certain nostalgic charm.

The "Ghost Chimneys" That Changed Number

A famous set of four chimneys stood at TEPCO's Senju Thermal Power Station along the Sumida River in Adachi Ward, Tokyo. The four chimneys, each more than 80 meters tall, were arranged in a narrow diamond, so depending on the viewing angle they appeared as anywhere from one to four. Locals called them the "obake entotsu" (ghost chimneys), and they were a beloved landmark. The station operated from 1926 to 1963, and the chimneys were demolished in 1964.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Look for chimneys still standing in your area
• Visit a public bathhouse with a chimney
• Look into the history and role of chimneys
• Take a walk through an old-fashioned neighborhood

Chimneys Reaching Toward the Sky Carry a Town's Memory

Though fewer in number now, the chimneys that remain quietly tell the story of a region's history. November 11th is a day to look up and notice the chimneys around you.