It came as a shock to some of the exchange students here, but Japan has different holidays than the US. Japan has some strange holidays like Respect the Elderly Day, Culture Day, Sports Day, and Autumnal Equinox Day. But it doesn’t have things like Daylight Savings Day, Halloween, or Thanksgiving. Those are pretty Western/American concepts (because of the European historical and cultural heritage of the United States that never happened in Japan). “But, Alexandra, didn’t you just say in a previous blog that you dressed up for a Halloween party?” Yes, I did. Let me explain.
While Halloween, for example, is not a nationally recognized holiday here in Japan, many people think that it is a really fun idea, and groups of people celebrate it on their own. Halloween parties, neighborhood organized Trick-or-Treating, and Halloween decorations/goods can be found, but these are just based on whether or not anyone does it on their own. Dressing up in costumes, stories about ghost/daemons, colorful decorations, free sweets, and a reason to let loose all appeal to the Japanese (especially young people). Plus, except for local festivals, this time of fall has a void of national holidays, which people are eager to fill.
But something that hasn’t quite caught on here is Thanksgiving. Buttery mashed potatoes, thick gravey, a huge turkey, and corn on the cob hasn’t nabbed the Japanese appetite, nor has the idea that you spend one day being thankful for all that you have. Why not? Well, as far as the Japanese are concerned, they’ve always lived in Japan and didn’t have to make their way in any New World, but have inherited everything from the generations before them or the gods. If you want to express thanks, you simply honor your ancestors or visit a shrine. Simple as that. There are also other times for people to show they are grateful. They have their own, so why adopt a foreign concept? That is why instead of little pilgrim and Indian decorations, the Christmas lights and wreaths have already gone up, and a nation where less than 1% of the population is Christian is waiting the festivities of their adopted holiday.
Yeah, there are a ton of random holidays in Spain, which for students over here just translates into more days for traveling to other cities. Halloween has also been steadily been growing in popularity over the years, although it's not the same as in the U.S. quite yet.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to miss Thanksgiving. I told my Dad to buy canned pumpkin for me so I can make pie when I get back though!