Happy New Year everyone! I`m so sorry I missed two blogs :( So I`m writing them now and will post my comment to your blogs soon!
In last month, I got lots of presents and cards from my pen friends in all over the world. And of course, I talked about how to spend Christmas day with each of them. In these conversation, every one asked me whether we celebrate Christmas in Japan or not.
I think it was a difficult question for Japanese people. One reason is that Christmas isn`t a holiday in Japan. Dec.25th is originally normal day here, not like European countries. The other reason is that most Japanese people aren`t Christian. So I didn`t know whether I could say to them that we "celebrate" Christmas.
But you know, Christmas surely exists in Japan,too. But I think it`s for some fun like exchanging presents and eating gorgeous dinner.
The most interesting thing I found out from my pen friends is that Christmas is a celebration and a holiday which should be spent with family for them. In Japan Christmas is a "day" for couple... haha
My Italian friend told me that she definitely goes to church on Christmas day because of religious reason. For her, Christmas is surely "celebration" rather than something fun.
What do you think in your opinion? If you foreign friends ask you this question, how do you answer?
Asami Okumura
In last month, I got lots of presents and cards from my pen friends in all over the world. And of course, I talked about how to spend Christmas day with each of them. In these conversation, every one asked me whether we celebrate Christmas in Japan or not.
I think it was a difficult question for Japanese people. One reason is that Christmas isn`t a holiday in Japan. Dec.25th is originally normal day here, not like European countries. The other reason is that most Japanese people aren`t Christian. So I didn`t know whether I could say to them that we "celebrate" Christmas.
But you know, Christmas surely exists in Japan,too. But I think it`s for some fun like exchanging presents and eating gorgeous dinner.
The most interesting thing I found out from my pen friends is that Christmas is a celebration and a holiday which should be spent with family for them. In Japan Christmas is a "day" for couple... haha
My Italian friend told me that she definitely goes to church on Christmas day because of religious reason. For her, Christmas is surely "celebration" rather than something fun.
What do you think in your opinion? If you foreign friends ask you this question, how do you answer?
Asami Okumura
Since most Japanese are not Christian, Christmas is a commercial event - a kind of "giri celebration." People here don't really know what Christmas is or what it means or how to celebrate it according to the Christian way. I didn't go to church on Christmas eve or day, but lots of people in Canada do. Above all, Christmas is a family time and at the least, we go back to our homes and celebrate with our family (like o-shogatsu here).
ReplyDeleteMs. MacGregor
I agree with Ms. MacGregor. Christmas is a commercial event and we may call Santa Claus day. We usually exchange presents between couples, friends and family. And also, we eat chicken and cake. There is no religious customs, I think. However, certainly, Christmas is one of the biggest events in Japan.
ReplyDeleteMotoki