Got a Confession to Make? Valentine's Day in Japan By Paul McManus OK, when I say confession I don't mean anything like, "I cheated in the test," or "Forgive me father for I have sinned. Kokuhaku, or confession as the Japanese would say, refers to the custom of using Valentine's Day as a chance to give chocolates to a person that they have a crush on and wish to inform of the fact. No, Valentine's Day is not an indigenous holiday. But yes, the Japanese do celebrate it. In fact, they not only have Valentine's Day once a year, they celebrate it twice a year. One time on February 14th along with everyoneelse, and and the second time on March 14th. Since it wouldn't be fitting to have two separate days with the same name, the March 14th event is called "White Day." Like other things that the Japanese adopt from foreign countries and make their own, Valentine's Day too is a bit different. In other countries, Valentine's Day is a day for a man and a woman involved in a romantic relationship to express their love for one another. Usually this takes the form of both partners giving each other chocolate or flowers and perhaps having a romantic dinner together. But in Japan, Valentine's Day is a time when Japanese women give chocolate to their boyfriends, husbands, friends, and coworkers and receive nothing in return. There are two types of chocolate given: "rabu chokko", or love chocolate, and "giri chokko", or obligation chocolate. As the name suggests, rabu chokko is given to a romantic partner, the object of one's affections, or a close friend. Giri chokko, on the other hand, is usually given to coworkers or others that one feels some sort of obligation to. This reflects the fact that as often is the case with Japan, gift giving is more often a duty than a spontaneous act of heartfelt generosity. If your thinking that Japanese women get a butt rap, just wait. Many Japanese women believe in the concept of baigaeshi;, or two-fold return of a gift. In other words, if a Japanese woman has given you a present on Valentine's Day, often she expects you to repay her two-fold or more when White Day rolls along. Chocolate is always accepted, but if you ask some what they really want in return it is expensive brand name items such as handbags or jewelry. When I inquired to the female student that informed me of this tradition, she justified it by saying that women are always happier than men to receive presents. I tried to protest saying that I am always happy when I receive something but my protests fell on deaf ears. Many Japanese people are keen on brand name items and chocolate is no exception. But if a woman really likes you then often she will give you both her sweat and time and make you some sort of chocolate treat. |
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