A short post on holidays

I promise a much longer post is coming soon on my trips to Kyoto and Nagasaki, but first I want to talk a bit about March 14 and March 17, as celebrated in Tokyo.

March 14 is White Day. On Valentines day in Japan, women give chocolates or other presents to men, whether they be friends, colleagues, or something more romantic. Then, they wait for a return of affection, thanks or warmth on white day. That's right, the candy corporations here get two hollow holidays to sell their goods! Valentines Day is said to have been imported to Japan in 1958 by a confectioners, and White Day invented by a Japanese marshmallow company during the next decade. It has also been said that White Day was created in the 1980's to assuage the obligation men feel to the women who gave them chocolates a month previous.

March 17th is St. Patrick's Day in the states. While most people in Japan don't know about St. Patrick's Day, Tokyo is celebrating the 15th anniversary of its St. Patrick's Day parade this Sunday (not exactly on the day, but close) sponsored by Irish Network Japan, a non-profit organization bringing a bit of Irish culture to Japan, for the purpose of advancing knowledge or Ireland and Irish culture in the minds of the Japanese as well as connecting foreigners from Ireland who are living in Japan. What it means for me is that I won't have to give up St. Patrick's Day just because I am living outside the States. I am going to an Irish pub with friends tonight for Guinness and fish and chips and will go to Sunday afternoon's parade. And wearing green of course.

Current Music : The leprechaun song! (This one's hilarious, have me send it to you, if you don't already have it.)
Current Mood: Becoming more genki after being sick for about week (Genki is Japanese for being in good spirits and health. Asking if you are genki is a way to ask "how are you" in Japanese.)