Happy Halloween!

Can you guess who this is?

After talking to Hostie I have learned that it has been only recently that western-style Halloween decorations and traditions have started to become popular in Japan. There are even a few Halloween events held now, including one at Tokyo Disneyland. A few of the neighborhoods in Tokyo with larger foreigner populations have even started having trick or treating.

If I were a dog I would have a wealth of options for a Halloween costume, including being a Panda.

Japan has many of its own holidays and traditions however. Japan does have a slightly Halloween-like holiday called O-bon (お盆, O-bon, or only Bon, 盆). O-bon is a Japanese Buddhist holiday to honor the departed spirits of one's ancestors. This festival has evolved into a time for family reunions during which people return to their home towns and visit and clean their ancestors' graves. Food and water is placed in front of photos of the dead. Bonfires and lanterns light the spirits' path back to earth. Depending on the region, festivals, food booths, and bon dances can be found in the evening, with lots of people enjoying themselves. Even those who don't observe the religious aspect participate in the festivals. Many people still dress up in a yukata, a lightweight cotton kimono for the festivals.

The most important holiday season in Japan is the Japanese New Year, which starts on January 1st and extends part way into January. Families each special seasonal food called osechi, which is prepared a few days before in December, so that no one has to spend a lot of time cooking during the holidays. Traditional decorations adorn homes and businesses and News Years cards (often postcards) are delivered (very similar to the Western tradition of sending Christmas cards).

Another holiday is rapidly approaching, Culture Day (文化の日, Bunka-no-hi), this coming Saturday, November 3rd! This is a national holiday that is held annually to promote culture, the arts, and academic endeavor. It is on this day that the ceremony to award the Order of Culture is held. The prize is awarded by the Emperor to those who have significantly advanced science, the arts or culture. This is a very prestigious honor, which can be received by any deserving individual--it is not restricted to Japanese citizens.