How The Week Days Got Their Names

by Oksana Vasilenko

Copyright Oksana Vasilenko 2012

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In Japan days of the week are called Moon Day, Fire Day, Water Day, Wood Day, Metal Day, Earth Day and Sun Day. Here’s the story of how those names came about.

Once upon a time a farmer went to the forest to chop some firewood. The tree trunk was hard, but the metal blade of the farmer’s axe still cut it up.

‘See, Wood,’ boasted Metal, ‘I am stronger than you!’

The nearby campfire flared up.

‘And I am stronger than either of you! I burn Wood and melt Metal! So, I am the strongest!’

‘That’s sheer nonsense!’ the nearby creek bubbled angrily. ‘I am the strongest one because I can quench Fire!’

‘You?’ laughed Earth. ‘I can soak you up and there won’t be a trace left of you! I am the strongest one!’

‘What are you talking about?’ the firewood cut in. ‘My roots move Earth apart and even my tiny seeds can push their way up from the depth. I am the strongest one!’

‘But I’ve just cut you down!’ Metal cried.

‘And I can melt you!’ Fire hissed.

‘And I can quench you!’ Water bubbled.

‘And I can soak you up!’ Earth mumbled.

‘And I…’ Wood started, but Sun broke into their argument.

‘Shut up all of you! I am the strongest one,’ Sun said. ‘I am above all of you and without my light Wood wouldn’t grow, Water wouldn’t flow, Fire would have nothing to burn, Metal wouldn’t be born and Earth would be dark, cold and bare.’

‘Not quite so!’ Moon said. ‘I am here at night to light the Earth while you are gone.’

And all seven of them started yelling, hissing, bubbling, creaking so loudly that the poor farmer closed his ears.

‘Stop! Stop! That’s enough!’ he shouted. ‘All of you are strong and I need all of you equally. Moon lights my way in the dark; Fire cooks my food and warms my house; Water quenches my thirst and nourishes my fields; Wood provides me with building material and firewood; Metal gives me all my tools; Earth nourishes all plants and animals and, of course, Sun shines in the skies giving light and warmth. See, all of you are very important. How about you take turns being the strongest one? Just for one day every week one of you will be very special and I’ll name that day in your honour. What do you say?’

‘It’s not a bad idea,’ Moon said.

‘Yes, I like it,’ Fire agreed.

‘Good idea, let’s do it,’ all the others said.

And since those ancient times there is a special day for Moon, Fire, Water, Wood, Metal, Earth and Sun—they are called Getsuyobi, Kayobi, Suiyobi, Mokuyobi, Kin’yobi, Doyobi and Nichiyobi.

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