In Japan, Buddha's Birthday is known as "Kanbutsu-e" () or "Hanamatsuri" (Flower Festival) () and is held on April 8. Buddha's birth is also celebrated according to the Buddhist calendar but is not a national holiday. On this day, all temples hold 降誕会 ("Gōtan-e"), 仏生会 ("Busshō-e"), 浴仏会 ("Yokubutsu-e"), 龍華会 ("Ryūge-e") and 花会式 ("Hana-eshiki"). Japanese people pour "ama-cha" (a beverage prepared from hydrangea serrata, a variety of hydrangea) on small Buddha statues decorated with flowers, as if bathing a newborn baby. The tradition of bathing the Buddha originated in China and was introduced to Japan where it was first held in Nara in 606. Lion dancing is also a major tradition practiced during Buddha's Birthday and has become associated with the festival in Japan.