Matchmaking Day (En-musubi Day)

What Is Matchmaking Day?

November 5th is "En-musubi no Hi," or Matchmaking Day, in Japan. It was established by the Shimane Prefecture tourism group "Land of Myths, En-musubi Tourism Association," and was later taken over by the Shimane Prefectural Tourism Federation. The date is a wordplay: 11-5 can be read as "ii go-en," meaning "a good connection." The day is registered with the Japan Anniversary Association.

The Season When the Gods Gather in Izumo

The Izumo region has long been known as a place for making good connections. Tradition holds that in the 10th month of the old lunar calendar (around November today), gods from all over Japan gather at Izumo Taisha Shrine to discuss matchmaking and other matters.

• Established by: the Land of Myths, En-musubi Tourism Association in Shimane (later succeeded by the Shimane Prefectural Tourism Federation)
• Why this date: the wordplay "ii (11) go-en (5)" -- "a good connection"
• Background: the belief that the gods gather at Izumo Taisha in the old 10th month
• Izumo Taisha's deity: Ōkuninushi, affectionately called "Daikoku-sama"

In Izumo, October Is the "Month With Gods"

The old 10th month is usually called Kannazuki, the "month without gods." In Izumo, where the gods are said to gather, it is instead called Kamiarizuki, the "month with gods." The area has many matchmaking spots, such as Yaegaki Shrine, which enshrines the couple Susanoo and Inatahime and offers fortune-telling at its "Mirror Pond." Here, "connection" means not only romance or marriage but all kinds of bonds between people.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Send a quick message to a friend or business contact you haven't heard from in a while
• Look up Izumo Taisha and other matchmaking spots in Shimane
• Think back on the good connections you've made in your work and life
• Say hello first to a new member of your team

A Day to Treasure Our Connections

Both work and daily life rest on our connections with many people. November 5th is a day to appreciate the bonds we have and stay open to new ones.