Big Sister Day (Ane no Hi)

What Is Big Sister Day?

December 6th is "Big Sister Day" (Ane no Hi). It was proposed in 1992 by Kunio Hatada, a manga artist known for his research on birth order — the study of how sibling order relates to personality and behavior. The date was chosen because it falls three months after "Little Sister Day" (September 6th) and because it is the feast day of St. Nicholas, associated with the legend of three poor sisters whom the saint secretly helped by tossing gold into their home. Together with "Big Brother Day" (June 6th), "Little Sister Day" (September 6th), and "Little Brother Day" (March 6th), it forms part of a series of sibling-themed anniversaries.

The Role and Image of "Big Sisters"

According to birth order research, eldest daughters (big sisters) tend to have a strong sense of responsibility and be caring toward others. On the other hand, it's also pointed out that they may feel pressure to "be the responsible one" and tend to accumulate stress.

"Big Sisters" in Fiction

• Anime and manga: Big-sister characters play important roles in many works, such as Sazae in "Sazae-san" (big sister to Katsuo and Wakame) and Onee-chan in "Chibi Maruko-chan"
• Movies: Elsa from "Frozen," Lin from "Spirited Away" (an older-sister-like figure), and more
• Literature: Meg and Jo from "Little Women," the four sisters of "The Makioka Sisters," and others

Things to Do on Big Sister Day

• Express your everyday gratitude to your big sister in words or in a letter
• Give her a gift she'd be happy with (cosmetics, sweets, an experience gift)
• Enjoy a meal or a movie together

Today's the day to say the "thank you" to your big sister that you don't usually get to say.