culture corner: Nipponese Christmas

Mochi roasting on a charcoal fire. Oden (hot pot soup) bubbling on an open stove. Artificial trees, no Christmas movie reruns, and sake instead of eggnog. While Christmas is probably one of the most important holiday of the American calendar, in Japan it’s far more commercial. With the Christian population in Japan a meager two percent, most Japanese remain completely ignorant of the religious origins behind Christmas. Nearly every store has a major sale. Jewelry stores cater to couples. Bakeries bake batch after batch of white Christmas cake. Home depot stores reveal their stock of Christmas lights (which tend to be much more expensive), and even grocery stores sell little boots stuffed with candy for the kids. In fact, unless Christmas falls on a Sunday, the holiday remains a regular work/school day. Even the familiar jolly old Saint Nick is not as significant as in Western culture. While some households put up lights, most of the decorating is left to enterprising businesses and stores. And though Christmas gifts are exchanged in Japan, the practice of giving oseibo (end-of- the-year gifts of appreciation) containing jellies, fruit, ham, dried fish, candy, beer, etc. is more popular.

Christmas was introduced to Japan during the 16th century by European missionaries, with the first recorded Christmas celebration held during 1552 in Yamaguchi Prefecture. In 1612, however, the Imperial government of Japan banned Christianity and its practices, forcing missionaries and their followers to celebrate Christmas in secrecy for nearly 250 years until the beginning of the Meiji era. Christmas was completely disregarded by the Japanese during World War II, when the practice of American customs was highly frowned upon.

Despite Christmas’ miniscule part in Japan’s history, the Japanese have adopted it into their culture and have even invented their own small Christmas quirks. Gift exchanging has grown popular, particularly with couples and families. Most households with children often decorate and display an artificial Christmas tree. Some families even partake in a special Christmas dinner, which often takes the form of a Kentucky Fried Chicken Christmas bucket. Seventy- three percent of the Japanese celebrate Christmas with cake. However, rather than the traditional Western brick of fruitcake, the Japanese Christmas cake is a creamy confection of white shortcake often topped with edible Christmas decorations and strawberries. Christmas is especially popular with young couples. It’s seen as a time for young lovers to spend time with each other and exchange gifts. Some go for a nighttime stroll to admire the Christmas lights together. Others go to the movies. Many, however, celebrate by spending a romantic candlelit dinner at a fancy restaurant or hotel. So, reservations must be made at least a month in advance.

—Mina Furusho