Sunday, March 29, 2015

Why I Love Japan: Two National Anthems



Why I Love Japan: Two National Anthems

At a conference in Osaka, Japan on 23 June 2014, opened with the playing of two national anthems: 

1 – “Star Spangled Banner” national anthem of the United States of America (星条旗).
2 – “Kimigayo” 君が代 national anthem of the nation of Japan.

The “Star Spangled Banner” was written as a poem in 1814 during the War of 1812 by Frances Scott Key during the bombardment of Fort McHenry in Maryland by the British.   The United States Congress adopted as the national anthem in 1931. 

The “Kimigayo” the lyrics were written during Japan’s Heian period (794-1185).  The song served as the national anthem from 1888 to 1945.  In 1999 it was officially recognized as the nation’s national anthem.     


Kimigayo” the Japanese National Anthem - The Emperor's Reign

 “May the reign of the Emperor
 continue for a thousand, nay, eight thousand generations
 and for the eternity that it takes
 for small pebbles to grow into a great rock
 and become covered with moss.”

“Star Spangled Banner” history:

“Kimigayo” history:

Link to Texas Daddy store:

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