Mother's Day in Japan

Yuki sensei
Apr 23
4 min read

And the Heartfelt Song "アンマー：Anma"

When is Mother's Day in Japan?

When is Mother's Day in Japan? On the second Sunday of May, Japan celebrates "母の日 Mother's Day (Haha no Hi)." This is a special day to express gratitude to mothers who work tirelessly for their families. The Japanese Mother’s Day has its roots in American culture. It began in the early 20th century in the U.S. and spread to Japan after World War II. Today, it is firmly established across Japan, with many people using the occasion to show love and appreciation to their mothers.

Unique Aspects of Mother's Day in Japan

When it comes to Mother’s Day in Japan, the first thing that comes to mind is carnations. Especially red carnations are extremely popular as a symbol of love toward mothers. Florists and supermarkets line up with Mother's Day-themed carnations, and people of all ages—from children to adults—gift flowers to their mothers. Recently, people have also started gifting other flowers such as hydrangeas and roses depending on their mother’s preferences.

It is also common for children to give handmade cards or presents to their mothers, made at school or daycare. Drawings by young children or paper flower bouquets often become lifelong treasures for many mothers.

Although Japan also celebrates Father’s Day in June, Mother’s Day tends to attract more attention. This might be because, traditionally, mothers have played a central role in the family in Japanese society, and therefore there’s a cultural emphasis on expressing gratitude to them. Media campaigns and social media buzz about Mother’s Day are widespread, and cafes and restaurants often offer "Mother’s Day limited menus."

A Recommended Japanese Song for Mother’s Day:

"アンマー: Anma"

When speaking of Mother’s Day in Japan, there’s one song I’d love to introduce. It’s "アンマー: Anma," performed by the Okinawa-based band かりゆし58 (Kariyushi 58). Released in 2006, the song quickly captured the hearts of many. I personally enjoy listening to it from spring through summer. The song is characterized by its lyrics filled with gratitude and remorse toward one's mother, and a nostalgic, heartwarming melody. It has become somewhat of a standard song for Mother’s Day in Japan.

"アンマー" means "mother" in Okinawan dialect. In Okinawa, there are unique expressions such as "father = ウヤ :uya" and "mother = アンマー: anma." Since the band members themselves are from Okinawa, the lyrics reflect the warm, family-centered values of Okinawan culture.

The lyrics depict the feelings of someone who, in their youth, couldn’t be honest with their mother, and now realizes the depth of her love with regret.

Here is one of my favorite lines from the end of the song:

度がすぎる頑固さも　 My excessive stubbornness わがままも卑怯な嘘も全て My selfishness, and even my cowardly lies 全てを包み込むような愛がそこにはありました There was a love that embraced all of that アナタのもとに生れ落ちたことはこんなにも幸せだった Being born to you was such a happiness 今頃ようやく気付きました I’m only just now realizing that こんな馬鹿な私だから Because I was such a fool

These lyrics convey the deep regret of the singer for not realizing the mother’s unconditional love sooner, and heartfelt gratitude for her constant care. "Anma" is a song that can inspire listeners to reflect on their own feelings toward their mothers, especially on Mother’s Day.

This part of the song reminds many people of their own mothers’ unconditional love and moves them to tears. For Japanese language learners, the expressions and phrasing found in the lyrics offer an excellent opportunity to study emotionally expressive Japanese.

To those reading this blog—what are your memories of Mother’s Day? For those raised in cultures different from Japan’s, the ways of celebrating might vary greatly. Take this opportunity to reflect on how your culture celebrates Mother’s Day and what your own mother means to you.

Also, I encourage you to listen to "Anma." By understanding each line of the lyrics as you listen, you’ll not only deepen your grasp of the Japanese language but also experience a touching and memorable learning moment. Why not use Mother’s Day as a chance to say “thank you” to your mom?