March 29, 2006
White Day in Japan
Submitted by Exploration Leader Melissa Smith, currently aboard the Spirit of Oceanus in Japan
March 14, 2006
A white blanket of snow drapes over everything today. Great big snowflakes fall from the sky. We have several children aboard this trip so the guests and I revel in watching them have snowball fights and try to catch snowflakes with their tongues.
This gift of white is very appropriate as today is White Day in Japan.
February the 14th is St. Valentine's Day in the United States as well as Japan. However on Valentines Day in Japan their gift giving tradition seems to vary a bit from ours. In Japan it is traditional for the females to give gifts of chocolate to the males. It is not considered proper for a woman to be overt with her feelings. The custom is that she is to give chocolate to the gentleman she’s sweet on and giddy choco (compulsory chocolate) to all the men surrounding him.
For example if she works in an office she would give chocolate to all the males in her department. She will wrap the chocolate for the gentleman she has affections for more ornately than the others. Perhaps she will tie a pink ribbon on it.
On White Day – March 14th – the gentleman is given the opportunity to express his feelings. If he returns her affections he will give her something white of value, perhaps a small pearl. If he does not return her affections he will give her a token white treat such as a marshmallow.
Our guests surprised me with many gifts today. They presented me with white rice candies, a stuffed white kitten, a stuffed bear in a kimono and a bouquet of white roses. I was touched by their kindness and generosity and I truly appreciated being included in this cultural tradition.
Posted by Melissa on March 29, 2006 8:42 AM
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