In this sectionI want you to enjoy my essays about Japanese culture, custom and society.

 

1. Saint Valentine's day (11 March 2001)

2. White day (17 March 2001)

 

 

1. Saint Valentine's day (11 March 2001)

Christianity is not a major religion in Japan. I think Christians are only 1% of Japanese population at most. But, there are many customs, which originate from Christianity, and Saint Valentine's day is a good example. Like the people of Christian countries, 14th February is a special day for Japanese people in love. It is not a holiday, but pleasant day. Most of the girls give a present (most of it is a chocolate) to her boyfriend. Some of them buy a plain chocolate and make their original present (I do not know whether it is tasty or not. Never mind!). Surely, it is a joyful day for lovers.

 

But, you can see an interesting different scene if you go to the Japanese companies in this special day. This is a "Giri choco" (it means "duty chocolate"). In most of the Japanese companies, female employees are expected to give chocolate to her boss and colleagues. If male employee misunderstand "Giri choco" as a true present, I assure that you can see a "tragedy". And if a male employee can't receive "Giri choco", it means he was disliked by all his female colleagues. In short, for Japanese employees, this special day is a day of comical tragedy, which is illustrated by "formality", "politeness" and "duty".

By the way, the happiest people in this day are not lovers but Japanese chocolate companies (Meiji, Morinaga, etc.). As I mentioned, in February, tremendous amount of "Giri choco" is sold at gift shops, supermarkets and department stores. I've heard most of their profit is earned in February. Therefore many Japanese believe Saint Valentine's day is a result of a plot by chocolate companies.

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2.White day (17 March 2001)

14th March is a special day for Japanese people; its name is "White day". As I mentioned, in Saint Valentine's day, most of the girls give a present (most of it is a chocolate) to her boyfriend. And most of the female employees give "Giri choco" to their boss and colleagues. In "White day", these women receive return gifts. As a return gift, various kinds of products are used; from expensive goods (bag, dress, shoes, etc.) to candy.

 

I guess "White day" is a product of "Giri choco". For a pair of lovers, there may be a selfless love. But it is only natural for a woman who gave "Giri choco" to expect returns gifts. Don't you think so?

 

Anyway, "White day" is a good day for gift industries, but I don't know whether exchanging a ceremonious gift is truly a pleasant thing for Japanese people.

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Zindai Temple Nagatoro Akeno Kamogawa Yokohama

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