New Year’s

In particular the eve, is celebrated widely across the world. And understandably, certain customs, cultures or religions vary its style of celebration. However no matter how you do it, we all seem to be in tuned with one thing. And that is the welcoming of the New Year. In J-land, you can celebrate the countdown like in the West, in bars or clubs or major attractions such as Disneyland, Universal Studios or even malls. Just be prepared to fork out at least JPY 10,000 more or less. It doesn’t come cheap like anywhere else. But your evening guarantees you fun and excitement with fireworks, balloons (popping and flying) or illuminations around the venue. Wherever you are, you’ll sure to have one hell of an extravaganza.

But traditionally, the day is a kind of prep day to welcome a New Year's god called toshigami. So people would clean their home in fact way before the eve and put kadomatsu typically made of pine or bamboo depending where you are in J-land and shimenawa, braided rice straw rope to welcome the god. But nowadays, you would only see these on certain business establishments and shrines.

Like me and the most would probably stay indoors because it’s warm. And snuggle up and watch telly. There are lots of programmes on from K1 to Doraemon. But most would probably watch Kohaku Uta Gassen (Red and White End of Year Song Festival – I know, it’s quite a mouthful). It’s an extremely popular TV show only on New Year's Eve. I mean it, everyone knows it no matter how old or young they are. Basically, it involves singing between male and female teams of celebrity singers. And this year, Susan Boyle an X-factor finalist is going to make a special appearance. No one ever knows who won in previous years. I guess J-peeps just like being entertained.

At the stroke of midnight, you’re certain to hear the bells of your local Buddhist temple nearby. It would be ringing it for about 108 times, again more or less (I’ve never counted it). Apparently, it’s a magical number for repentance.

November or Shimozuki

Shimozuki, the foggy month clearly defines what November is all about. The weather remains unpredictable. That is why; less people plan anything for this month. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t any National Holidays (Bank Holidays) or events in November.

In fact, we have two National Holidays: 11/03 "Day of Culture" (文化の日) and 11/23 "Labour's Day" (勤労感謝の日).

And one of the main events in November is 11/15 "Shichi-Go-San" (七五三) (literally shichi =7, go = 5, san =3). It’s a traditional event dated long ago where children would go to the shrine and pray for their health. Girls at the age of 3 and 7, and boys at the age of 3 and 5 usually go.

But for the most, they would celebrate Koyo, the autumn leaves. It’s probably equivalent to Sakura in spring. Koyo usually last a few days only when the leaves change its colour to red, yellow or sometimes purple. After that, they fall – it’s a sign that winter is around the corner.

Tsukimi 月見 = moon viewing

Otsukumi as it is commonly called, is closely related to the Chinese Mid-Autumn festival, where people celebrate the viewing of the moon. It falls on 3rd October this year as it is believed to be as its brightest. J-peeps celebrate this by having some tsukimi dango (Japanese dumplings) served with sake as well as some autumn seasonal harvest like sweet potatoes and chestnuts. Experts believed it to have started in the Heian era 平安時代, Heian jidai (between 794-1185), where the aristocrats would celebrate the viewing while reciting some poetry.

Silver Week

Most gaijins here already know or at least, have heard of Golden Week in May which is almost a week long holiday (kinda scattered within a week) coz of back-to-back bank holidays. Luckily, in September this year, it sort of happens again. So what do J-peeps celebrate? It's the Respect for the Aged Day, which is followed by another national holiday (unnamed - due to the law) and then the Autumn Equinox Day. That’s 3 days of bank holidays and if you add the weekend, you get 5 days off. Oh, yes!

Most travel agencies want to capitalise on this and the mass media or (some marketing guru) has dubbed it as Silver Week. Not bad as it has a ring to it! Also, hence silver reflects old age in J-land which sort of equates to the Respect for the Aged Day. Anyway among the popular holiday destinations this year are Seoul, Bali, Taipei and Guam. So beware, it’s gonna be mayhem again, I promise. Trains and roads would be jammed pack so take note of these when you’re traveling. Fortunately, for me, I’ll be spending it at home doing some DIY (again). But we might pop out and acclimatised ourselves at our local neighbourhood or hang out at museums and even do a bit of shopping at AEON.

Back to School

The 2nd term has started and all are already looking forward for the 5-day bank holiday coming in mid-September. But one thing you’ll notice is the array of souvenirs (sweets or snacks) at your school. おみあげ omiage is a must if you’re Japanese, or even if you’re not, J-peeps will appreciate it immensely. They are usually sweets or snacks (or anything edible) from the place you spent your holiday. Even if you stayed at home, a local omiage would be available. So there's no excuse in getting one. It comes in different forms of Japanese sweets or snacks and some towns and cities are actually famous for their own original souvenirs like unagi pie in Shizuoka Prefecture.

Gift giving is certainly the norm here and sometimes it's a great icebreaker for some colleagues that you don’t usually talk to. I brought in some Scottish shortcake the last time when my mum paid us a visit in Golden Week and my work absolutely love it. It might be a bit of a hassle or waste your precious holiday time but I can assure you that it’s all worth it. It’s a good sign of appreciation within the workforce and builds teamwork. Also, your state of popularity will be a high.

Summer 本場所 Honbasho

When I was working in Tokyo, I passed by Asakusa a lot of times. During which I encountered many sumo wrestlers cycling up and down the street. Some were fast and some were cruising. Some almost run over a colleague of mine. Although, this may be a day-to-day happening in the old district of Tokyo, from the outsiders’ stance, it’s a chance to muck around and do some kung-fu moves. Believe me, don’t. You’ll just look stupid. Not that they’ll hit back or anything because in fact, they are seen as role models than being considered as warriors. They follow a very strict code since childhood. Admittedly, less and less homegrown wrestlers nowadays reach the ultimate rank, the Yokuzuna status of sumo so the public interest is dwindling more and more.

For us, the trip to J-land wouldn’t be complete without seeing the bouts live. I saw it twice and definitely it’s a must see.

The next tournament has started already which is running from 12th – 26th July in Nagoya. Bouts are all day but the heavyweights don’t come out till 4-6pm. Well, you gotta have a climax at the end, huh?

Tanabata – the star festival

七夕　たなばた tanabata = evening of the seventh, is a Japanese star festival. 7 is already considered as a lucky number and 7/7 or 7th July is a special day in Japan. The seventh day of the seventh month of the lunisolar calendar celebrates the meeting of two of the brightest stars known as Princess Orihime (Vega in constellation Lyra) and Prince Hikoboshi (Altair in constellation Aquila). Tale has it that the two fell in love at first sight and soon after did nothing in life. So the Gods got angry and put a curse on them to be apart throughout the year and the great river (the Milky Way) would be their greatness obstacle. But luckily, once a year these two lovers can meet when a bridge mysteriously appears. On the other hand, when it rains, it means the Gods are angry with them. Therefore they cannot meet because it will cause the river to overflow. So they will have to wait and try again next year.

Despite its romantic connotation, modern day Japan generally celebrates it by writing wishes on a 短冊　たんざく　tanzaku = small piece of paper, and hanging them on bamboo. The celebration differs across the region from hanging 紙衣　かみごろも　kamigoromo = (wishes for good sewing) to 巾着　きんちゃく　kinchaku = (wishes for good business).

Tsuyu つゆ

Most people are probably still, if you’re lucky, enjoy seeing あじさい ajisai = hydrangeas in the parks, gardens or (it depends where you are) maybe at the florists, window displays or flower pots or vases. But most would probably notice we are hitting that transition stage of the season again. Yep, summer is coming and that only means one thing, right? Not booze or beer gardens but rain. What I mean is, you’ll probably notice it’s getting wetter and wetter. The rainy or wet season has begun, earlier in fact and many have already witnessed the かみなり　kaminari = thunder, bolting everywhere. And usually when it does, it pours like there is no tomorrow. This unpredictable wet weather つゆ tsuyu = rainy/wet season, normally ends in mid-July, say between 20th-23rd (believe me the Meteorological Agency is very accurate in J-land) and after that it’s gonna be じめじめ　jimejime or むしあつい　mushiatsui = humid. The humidity will often kick in and you’ll sweat like hell! There is no way around it, I'm afraid. Still we should be proud that we are the envy of some nations half-way around the world. The temperature or at least some UV-rays are what some peeps are graving for. All we can do is to ensure and wear our Cool Biz short-sleeve shirts and drink plenty of iced-coffee before embarking to work.

Week of gold

OK. Forget Easter in Japan. There isn’t one. There will be no sign of the Easter bunny or Easter eggs on shop shelves anywhere. Besides it’s too near to one of Japan’s holiday seasons. And when I say holiday seasons such as New Year and Obon, it’s gonna be gridlock anywhere you go. So what is it – Golden Week. It’s a collection of four bank holidays (sometimes within seven days if you’re lucky enough it falls between a weekend).

When:

29th April – Showa no hi (Showa Day)
This is the birthday of former Emperor Showa, who died in 1989. The current one we're in is Emperor Heisei.

3rd May – Kenpo kinenbi (Constitution Day)
This is kinda like Independence Day in the US. On this day in 1947, the new post war constitution was put into effect by the Americans.

4th May – Midori no hi (Greenery Day)
It’s rather new. And only until 2006, Midori no hi used to be celebrated on 29th April, the birthday of former Emperor Showa. The day is supposed to be dedicated to the environment and nature, because the emperor loved plants and nature. Before being declared Midori no hi, 4th May used to be a bank holiday due to a law, which declares a day, that falls between two bank holidays, a bank holiday. So they kinda need to name one up to settle the confusion.

5th May – Kodomo no hi (Children's Day)
It’s actually a double bank holiday nailed into one. The Tango no Sekku (Boy's Festival) is celebrated on this day too (hence, 5/5, for an easy reference). Families usually pray for the health and future success of their sons by hanging up carp streamers (you won’t miss these, they’ll be everywhere) and displaying samurai dolls, both symbolizing strength, power and success in life. The Girl's Festival, BTW, is celebrated on 3rd March or 3/3.

It’s that season again

Spring is in the air and that means only one thing – not sakura (cherry blossom) or rather hanami (flower viewing) but kafunshou (hay fever or more specifically pollen allergy).

In fact, I have never suffered from kafunshou all my life not until I arrived in J-land. I did manage to combat it for more than 3 years but my body somehow gave up and surrendered this year. Having moved to Aichi last August, I noticed that the pollen count especially in the countryside is much stronger. As I just found out, there are two main types of kafunshou – sugi (cedar) and hinoki (cypress). And from my source, I heard long ago J-peeps needed to produce more (umm…) wood so to cater for its demand they planted sugi and hinoki trees. They probably grow faster than bamboo trees – dunno why exactly. But as a result, (bingo!) pollen allergy. Whoay!

The only natural way to combat this pesky allergy is to wear a mask and hope for the best that you won’t suffer badly. There is no 100% way to avoid this thing but there are numerous medications available in the market. In truth, the pharmaceutical industry makes hefty dosh from it as well as from many flu – or influenza, as the J-peeps love to be specific, medications in winter. Anyway, it’s also my first time to wear a mask. Hence, dubbed its image from SAR (an influenza-like illness in Hong Kong) from the Western viewpoint. And I can confirm, there's nothing to be a shame of when wearing one as it really helps you and certainly ease you to avoid as well as spread germs around your surroundings. It's the norm here and therefore peeps won't give you any funny look.

Agejo

Goodbye yamamba and those Gothic freakish looking Harajuku girls. The word that’s causing a fizzle and sweeping J-land at mo is agejo. One can describe it as a kinda tribe of young women seen as having pale skin, large dewy eyes and loud long Barbie-type hairdos. You’ll see them around Shibuya and Shinjuku at lot. These type of gals existed already since I’ve been here in 2005, just look at the bio of Ayumi Hamazaki and were popularised and dubbed today by model agencies, fashion magazines and nightclubs. Most will immediately label them as hostesses, which men find erotic and pretty and who wouldn’t, right? In fact, you’ll find agejo falls between the professionals and amateurs and some may be a student that goes to a uni who works as a hostess at night to pay her tuition.

Although all these may sound derogatory, the word, believe me, is classified favourable here especially to teens and fashion-minded women.

TMC or otherwise known (worldly) as Toyota

One major industry that Japan is really proud of is its automotive industry. But with the global recession, what does the future hold for トヨタ自動車株式会社, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki-gaisha or in short, TMC (Toyota Motor Corporation)? There’s enough been said about companies and consumers tightening their belts so I won’t dwell on it too much. And it’s true, no one has really benefited from it all but the fact remains, Toyota is still, let say to a certain extent, ichiban, believe it or not? It’s still far better than GM or Chrylser. Admittedly, it’s down in sales, import and especially export-wise, one can only imagine the knock-on effect should Japan’s no. 1 automaker falls. It’ll be insurmountable! My father-in-law for instance will be out of a job.

Those who can remember, Toyota introduced a strong 'work ethic' namely kaizen (improvement) and it has reinforced its financial health since then. They’ve developed eco-friendly hybrid cars and became the leading developers of eco-technology. Amidst to its breakthrough, the US hit rock bottom and the carmaker faces its first major losses in many years. Times are tough (and it’ll get tougher) and recovery will take time and that’s why Toyota’s motto of ‘going back to the fields’ means going back to our roots really means a lot to the J-peeps. That’s one of the reasons why they’ve decided (and with much debate) to make Akio Toyoda, grandson of the carmaker’s founder, next president of TMC.

Although times are changing, Toyota isn't really moving with it and nepotism isn’t dead and buried, and gone to heaven yet. J-peeps embrace it and believe going back where it all began will help them in times of trouble. At least, that's what this automaker believes.

V-day in J-land

Not Victory Day! It means Valentine’s Day. Being in J-land, the J-peeps seem to abbreviate things like there is no tomorrow for instance, the word 'remote control' becomes remocon. It's cute in a way.

V-day is somewhat unique and a huge thing in J-land. Women will stay in queues at department stores for ages just to get some chocolates for their male counterparts or paramours. Let’s face it, marketing plays a big, big part of it. J-women give gifts usually chocolates: honmei choco to their man or other half/partner (someone they are serious about) and giri choco (obligatory chocolate) to their colleagues and superiors. I remember spending a fortune in getting roses, chocolates, V-cards, and some new undies (you never know) and for a candlelit dinner on this day in Richmond, London. But here, the J-men usually don’t have to do anything. And again don’t be fooled and be tempted to indulge yourself with all the sweeties coz it all comes in with a price. When 14th March comes which is notably called White Day = howaitode (a confectionery that sells marshmallow probably gave all the hype and promoted this day) men who received V-chocos from their female friends and coworkers are expected and will then reciprocate with small gifts which is usually double the price of what they got for V-day.

I don't know which is better to get chocos or not on V-day. But one thing is for sure nothing in life is free if we really think about it.