NoaIzumiAnime Classroom: Christmas in Japan
December 23rd 2008 05:03
Anime, educational? Sure! There are all kinds of things you can learn from watching Japanese animation. We’ll be looking at some of them in this series.
Considering that less than 1% of Japan’s population is Christian, a Japanese celebration of Christmas seems rather odd. But it is a very popular day in the Land of the Rising Sun. Christmas isn’t a national holiday (people still have to work and go to school on Dec. 25), but it does fall into the general holiday season between two national holidays: the current emperor’s birthday (Dec. 23) and New Year’s Day. Dec. 25 isn’t observed by all Japanese, but it has gotten more popular in recent years, and includes all of the (non-religious) trappings of Christmastime in Western countries: decorations, trees, gifts, sweets, carols, and Santa Claus.
Yep, even jolly old Saint Nick is a part of Christmas in Japan, and yes, little kids do believe in him. In You’re Under Arrest, a creative burglar dresses up as Kris Kringle while on the job, breaking a little girl’s heart in the process. (Don’t worry, our favorite traffic cops catch the thief in time to save Christmas). And in Azumanga Daioh, there’s a spirited discussion about his abilities that will probably sound awfully familiar (How does he go to every house in the world in one night? And what about homes that have no chimney?).
Azumanga Daioh (Conversation starts around 2.25)
Christmas trees are also a common sight. Most Christmas time animes have them in the background, and one plays a crucial role in the Christmas story in the You’re Under Arrest manga.
One Japanese adaptation is the traditional Christmas cake. It’s basically sponge cake with whipped cream and strawberries, and plays the same traditional role as fruitcake does here. It just wouldn’t be Christmas without it. Most bakeries make them for the Christmas market, and they’re often sold by people in costume (Love Hina, Karin). These cakes are a common sight at Christmas parties, like the one in the opening credits to Doki Doki School Hours. Mika can be seen eating a piece near the end.
Doki Doki School Hours opening
To most young Japanese, however, the most important aspect of Christmas is romance. Over time it’s become quite the romantic holiday (maybe with the religious aspect cut out, romance wound up filling the void?). In Japan, being alone on Christmas Eve is similar to being alone on New Year’s Eve here in America. The best anime example is probably the Love Hina Christmas Special. Not only does Keitaro work (selling Christmas cake) to save up the money to buy Naru’s present, he almost breaks his neck trying to get to her before midnight on Christmas Eve. In Doki Doki School Hours, school nurse Matsumoto-sensei’s holiday is made when she has a date for Christmas Eve, although it doesn’t go quite as she had hoped. And since Christmas gifts are generally exchanged only between family and close friends, giving a gift on this day is a useful way of letting your potential sweetie know that you want to get closer. Ace policewoman Miyuki knits a sweater for her soon-to-be (hope springs eternal) sweetheart Ken Nakajima in You’re Under Arrest. And In the 2005 anime Karin, both Karin and her friend Maki make gifts for boys they like, although it doesn’t work out quite so well for Maki.
Karin Christmas episode 19 part 1
Doesn’t Usui-kun look so cute? I just want to watch out and pinch those cheeks!
Part 2
Part 3
Poor Maki!
So that’s what Christmas in Japan looks like. All the trappings, yet almost completely secularized. I'd say they keep the spirit of the holiday just fine.
Update: Fellow Orbler KaTchl has a post on the subject with more information and interesting facts:
Really Long Link
Considering that less than 1% of Japan’s population is Christian, a Japanese celebration of Christmas seems rather odd. But it is a very popular day in the Land of the Rising Sun. Christmas isn’t a national holiday (people still have to work and go to school on Dec. 25), but it does fall into the general holiday season between two national holidays: the current emperor’s birthday (Dec. 23) and New Year’s Day. Dec. 25 isn’t observed by all Japanese, but it has gotten more popular in recent years, and includes all of the (non-religious) trappings of Christmastime in Western countries: decorations, trees, gifts, sweets, carols, and Santa Claus.
Yep, even jolly old Saint Nick is a part of Christmas in Japan, and yes, little kids do believe in him. In You’re Under Arrest, a creative burglar dresses up as Kris Kringle while on the job, breaking a little girl’s heart in the process. (Don’t worry, our favorite traffic cops catch the thief in time to save Christmas). And in Azumanga Daioh, there’s a spirited discussion about his abilities that will probably sound awfully familiar (How does he go to every house in the world in one night? And what about homes that have no chimney?).
Azumanga Daioh (Conversation starts around 2.25)
Christmas trees are also a common sight. Most Christmas time animes have them in the background, and one plays a crucial role in the Christmas story in the You’re Under Arrest manga.
One Japanese adaptation is the traditional Christmas cake. It’s basically sponge cake with whipped cream and strawberries, and plays the same traditional role as fruitcake does here. It just wouldn’t be Christmas without it. Most bakeries make them for the Christmas market, and they’re often sold by people in costume (Love Hina, Karin). These cakes are a common sight at Christmas parties, like the one in the opening credits to Doki Doki School Hours. Mika can be seen eating a piece near the end.
To most young Japanese, however, the most important aspect of Christmas is romance. Over time it’s become quite the romantic holiday (maybe with the religious aspect cut out, romance wound up filling the void?). In Japan, being alone on Christmas Eve is similar to being alone on New Year’s Eve here in America. The best anime example is probably the Love Hina Christmas Special. Not only does Keitaro work (selling Christmas cake) to save up the money to buy Naru’s present, he almost breaks his neck trying to get to her before midnight on Christmas Eve. In Doki Doki School Hours, school nurse Matsumoto-sensei’s holiday is made when she has a date for Christmas Eve, although it doesn’t go quite as she had hoped. And since Christmas gifts are generally exchanged only between family and close friends, giving a gift on this day is a useful way of letting your potential sweetie know that you want to get closer. Ace policewoman Miyuki knits a sweater for her soon-to-be (hope springs eternal) sweetheart Ken Nakajima in You’re Under Arrest. And In the 2005 anime Karin, both Karin and her friend Maki make gifts for boys they like, although it doesn’t work out quite so well for Maki.
Karin Christmas episode 19 part 1
Doesn’t Usui-kun look so cute? I just want to watch out and pinch those cheeks!
Part 2
Part 3
Poor Maki!
So that’s what Christmas in Japan looks like. All the trappings, yet almost completely secularized. I'd say they keep the spirit of the holiday just fine.
Update: Fellow Orbler KaTchl has a post on the subject with more information and interesting facts:
Really Long Link
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