Welcome to the Astronomy in Japan Home Page

Japanese Starlore and Astronomical History

Astronomy Activities and Articles of Human Interest

Astronomy Sites in Japan with Pages in English

Sites of Interest in History of Astronomy and Cultural Astronomy

Purposes and Goals of this Page

Frequently (and not so Frequently) Asked Questions

何故このホームページは英語のみで書かれているのですか？ (In Japanese)

Last Updated January, 2008

Japanese Starlore and Astronomical History

Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu!
The Sun, the Moon, and Happy New Year in Japan

(Revised for January 2008)

----------

Get Out Ogre! Come In Happiness!
Setsubun in Japan; A Lunar "New Years' Eve"

(Revised for January 2008)

----------

Tani Jinzan and A Leonid Conflagration
Earthly and Celestial Events "Meet" in Tokugawa Japan

----------

Orihime, Kengyuu, and Tanabata
Japanese Traditions and Values Reflected in a Summer Festival Based on an Ancient Chinese Star Legend

Images of Tanabata 2000

----------

Yowatashi Boshi
Passing the Winter Nights with Japanese Star Lore of Orion

----------

Takamatsu Zuka Kofun
An Ancient View of the Sky from a Tomb in Asuka, Japan

Controversy Continues

(Supplement added April 3, 1997)

----------

Kitora Kofun
A Detailed Astronomical Star Chart in an Ancient Japanese Tomb

(Revised September 2002)

----------

Aligning Earth and Sky
Ancient Astronomy in the Kinki Area of Japan
(Material Added September, 2002)

Ancient Astronomy and Geomancy in Kyoto

Geomancy and Imperial Position in Nara

Astronomy Among Ancient Tombs and Relics in Asuka

----------

Marking the Noon Hour
A "Sun Clock" at Kochi Castle, Japan

----------

Star Charts and Moon Stations

"Seiryuu" (Azure Dragon) of the East (Spring)

"Genbu" (Black Tortoise) of the North (Winter)

"Byakko" (White Tiger) of the West (Fall)

"Suzaku" (Red Bird) of the South (Summer)

Moon Station Figures for The Sky Level IV Version 5

(Material Added October 16, 1999)

----------

Star Shrines in Japan
Shrines Dedicated to "Stones from Heaven"

----------

The Lunar Calendar in Japan
Brief Explanation and History of the Lunar Calendar in Japan

(Revised January 22, 2000)

----------

Modern Japanese Names for Constellations

----------

The Tiger Tail Star: Matasaburou and Comet C/1664 W1
The Diary of a young 17th century Kochi resident who observed and drew pictures of Comet C/1664 W1.

(Revised January 26, 1996)

Part 1: December 16-19, 1664

Part 2: December 21-31, 1664

Part 3: January 3 - February 6, 1665

References

----------

A Brush Daub on the Heavens
Japanese Starlore concerning the Pleiades (Subaru).

----------

Cornering the Bear
Historical Japanese names for Ursa Major and Ursa Minor.

Astronomy Activities and Articles of Human Interest

A Tribute to Houei Nojiri
Gentleman, Scholar, and Eclectic Ethnoastronomer

----------

The Milky Way Train: Celebrating Kenji Miyazawa
A famous Japanese writer and amateur astronomer honored in 1996.

(Material Added October 16, 1999)

----------

A Brief History of Amateur Astronomy in Japan
A Culture's Heritage with the Sky

----------

The 50th Anniversary of the Science Council of Japan
Commemorative Stamp with a Rainbow of Development

----------

Super Nova Discoveries by Japanese Amateurs
Three Different Modes of Observation

----------

Seki's 52nd Asteroid
Tsutomu Seki and the Discovery of Asteroid Torahiko

----------

How Hyakutake Found Comet 1996 B1
Masaki Okamoto shares an article from Gekkan Tenmon

----------

Anamizu and Percival Lowell
Masaki Okamoto tells about a Japanese rural festival named after a U.S astronomer.

----------

Yuji Hyakutake and Comet C/1995 Y1
Masaki Okamoto shares an article from Tenmon Guide.

----------

Three Comet Hunters from Japan
Three amateurs from Japan who recovered Comet DeVico.

----------

Minoru Yamamoto and Nova Cas 1995
How Yamamoto discovered Nova Cas 1995.

----------

Keiichiro Okamura and Tosa Astronomy
A brief profile of Amateur Astronomer and Historian Keiichiro Okamura.

Astronomy Sites in Japan with Pages in English

General Data and Information on Astronomy

Observatories and Agencies

Amateurs, Groups, and Pages of Special Interest

Sites of Interest in History of Astronomy and Cultural Astronomy

Purposes and Goals of This Page

Return to Top

Thank you for visiting.

Please send submissions, suggestions, or comments to
Steve Renshaw

We try to keep links up-to-date. However, if you are continually unable to connect to a site, we would appreciate you letting us know.