Posted on 12/23/2007 11:27:55 AM PST by AmericanInTokyo
Christmas in Japan can be a little lonely and isolated for the Westerner. What with the distance and cultural differences. Missing the usual things from back home, especially for one 'American in Tokyo'. This year 2007 is no different. However, in many respects there is nevertheless one little thing that is so refreshing about being stuck in Japan during Christmas—after a few years--for the occasions one cannot make it back "home".
It is almost like the clock has been turned back years to a simple and brighter time in our own country. An era years before the phenomenon of "political correctness" raised its cruel, filthy and unwelcome head in the United States of America. In many of our shared pasts, when the simple words "MERRY CHRISTMAS" were everywhere to be seen, heard, offered and received during that special season at the end of each year. There was no fear. There was no hesitation. There was no shame. There were no silly dictates from the Scrooges on High, lording it over the unwashed masses that we somehow become "sensitive" and are to turn our "Christmas Trees" into "Holiday Trees", or have our kids take "Winter Break" instead, or that one must wish "Happy Holidays!", or "Seasons Greetings!" or "Joyous Winter!" at the workplace or in other areas in public for fear of "offending".
And so, from Japan this 2007, as in all years—yes-1% Christian JAPAN, where with the overwhelming preponderance of adherents to Buddhism, Shintoism and even Atheism one would think a collaborative oppression would be the order of the day, it is almost nothing BUT "Merry Christmas". This is everywhere one turns.
In stores, in supermarkets, at bus stops, at airports, in coffee shops, in restaurants, in office lobbies, on trains and subways, in convenience stores, in tiny cafes, in huge department stores. Everywhere, in Japan, one is simply overwhelmed at this wonderful, simple phrase which has taken such a beating in overwhelmingly Christian America through the tyrannical dictates of a very few.
I will be the first to recognize that Christmas in Japan does have very strong commercialism tendencies, tinged with secularism, with the focus being on sales, sales, sales. (But is that any different than in America?) But as I pondered these points over the last few weeks, I took my camera along and share with you what my eyes saw here in Japan. Not only the eyes were pleasantly pleased day in and day out, the ears were pleased, too. I heard the faint melody of "Adeste Fideles" in a Japanese 7-Eleven. I caught the end of "Joy to the World" in a tea salon as I entered. I enjoyed"God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" between the milk and bread aisles at a little local supermarket. Huge loudspeakers in a major Japanese department store equivalent to a Macy’s or a Bloomindales cheerfully blasted "The Night, When Christ Was Born" from "O Holy Night", banners streaming down ever four feet from the ceiling heralding Christmas. People were actually smiling. I shook my amazed gaijin head at the word "Christ" filling a huge, bustling store of December shoppers and I thought how the attorneys would be readied if such a thing were happening in most places in the U.S. Ironic, yet sad at the same time!I once explained the words and concept behind the new-found "Happy Holidays" in America to a Japanese friend. He just stared at me with an odd look. It took nearly 30 minutes, before he said, "Ah, but, you Americans and Europeans-first through missionaries and later through GIs--brought such a tradition to us here in Japan in the first place. Do we really have to stop saying or displaying "Merry Christmas", too?" It took another one hour just to explain to him the overall concept and silliness of "political correctness."
And I told my friend, not to worry, that people in the USA for example were really starting to rise up against political correctness and the societal ban on "Merry Christmas" in a big way. He seemed satisfied and his concerns were allayed. We were both late for separate meetings. And so, of course, I wished him "Merry Christmas" as we grabbed separate taxis.
From Japan this year, enjoy the photos linked to Flickr, travel back in your minds to this wonderful time in our own country—that may just be around the corner for America again if people rise up and take back their country without fear, and—well—MERRY CHRISTMAS from Japan!
These photos were all taken within the last two weeks here in the Tokyo, Japan area. Please enjoy and also think about how we, many of us in the overwhelming majority, can more fully get our Christmas back in the public social domain in America.
Another short piece could have been written about the various Japan subsidiaries of mainline US consumer products in Japan, which do not shy away from "Merry Christmas", and yet their headquarters in the US have a strict policy of "Happy Holidays" in a country much more Christian than Japan.
Good afternoon to all my friends on FR.
HEYYY AIT Merry Christmas I didn’t know you guys in Japan celebrate Christmas like we do here in Good OLE USA
But that pretty different
Hey there, SevenofNine!
But isn’t it more separated from the religious aspect of the day?
There are a number of Japanese cultural fads that are permutations of American society.
It is a nation where the Ventures are bigger than Led Zepplin and still tour.
It is nice to see the pictures though. There is a thought crime in saying “Merry Christmas” in this country. I don’t belabor the point when retail people at restaurants (with no decoration) say “Happy holiday”, I just respond with Merry Christmas.
I DO say “happy holiday” at other points in the year (including New Year’s eve and Halloween) to drive the point home.
Merry Christmas AmericanInTokyo.
Nice post.
5.56mm
I didn't know. It sure is like years ago here.
There has been a backlash of small proportions in the USA to get back to Christmas and the true meaning of it. So far it is small but it is a beginning.
Hello AIT!
I just checked your Flickr account: it says “politicallyincorrectinjapan doesn’t have any photos available to you.”...do I have to sign in?
That is interesting: NO PC POLICE that will make you feel dirty whenever you say “Merry Christmas” to another person...in 1% Christian Japan of all places.
Liked the photos, noticed a man wearing a mask. Seems weird, but I don't get out much.
Actually, I greatly enjoyed the same in China and in Taiwan.
The Carols were refreshing . . .
Of course . . . the REASON FOR THE SEASON seems to get lost a lot in the translation.
But still . . . enjoying CHRISTmas so candidly is not all bad.
Sorry you feel alone there. Would have some tea somewher nice and warm with you there, if I could.
As is . . . the best of CHRISTmas wishes and for the New Year for you and all those you love and care for.
BTW,
what do you make of all the recent noise about UFO stuff there?
It would be cool to visit a Church in a country where only 1% is Christian. (Japan is the only country I can think of where you wouldn't be risking death.) The perception and practices of Christians in such an environment would be most interesting. I'm sure they would put many of us to shame when it comes to faith, disipline and sacrifice. Merry Christmas Japan!
Yes, it is very strange. I spent one Christmas in Japan, over the 1996/1997 Christmas-New years season. My wife is from the Kansai region. As we went about the area, I was amazed at the number of Christmas displays, both in stores, and in the various towns and cities in general. However, it was a bit disconcerting to find that December 25 in Japan is a normal work day like any other, in spite of all the decorations. It only goes so far. I don’t speak Japanese, so I had no way of noticing if Japanese people act nicer at that time of year or not, as AIT points out.
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MERRY CHRISTMAS, Everybody...
http://www.lzxray.com/Ronnie3.jpg
Especially in Little Tokyo, Downtown Los Angeles:
http://www.theimaginasian.com/index3.php
.
Doesn’t Japan have a holiday on Christmas Eve? If fact, since you are 14 hours ahead, it’s happening now!
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
I lived and worked in Tokyo back in the 80’s. I was always impressed with the respect the Japanese had for Christmas and touched by how they wanted to share in it with us Gaijin. On the surface it may seem that the commercialism was all that mattered but I know one some level they got what it’s really about.
It is a nation where the Ventures are bigger than Led Zeppelin and still tour. ......... I’ll say! Here is the Japanese imitation.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=qAixXH7oBKs&feature=related
Thanks for all your posts, I find them most intersting as a rule.
And a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and yours.
Regards
alfa6 ;>}
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