Japan has many holidays, as Tomoko knows because she grew up
there. Several holidays are centuries old and others are more modern, sometimes
imported from other cultures. Valentine’s Day is one of the latter types of
celebrations; it became popular starting in the 1950s due to commercial
campaigns targeted to women.
February 14 is mainly enjoyed by students, but chocolate is
given between couples and even coworkers.
In fact, in Japan, it is usually the woman who gives gifts to men such
as candy; girl friends might make brownies (‘honmei-chocos” homemade
chocolates), for instance, for their boy friends. Women may also give
chocolates to their women friends too (“tomo choco”), and one can treat oneself
to chocolate too (“jibun choco”)/
However, there is equal opportunity for giving in Japan, a
custom that started in the 1980s by the Japanese Confectionery Industry
Association. White Day, which occurs on March 14, is the day where people
chocolates and other gifts to the people who gave them gifts on Valentine’s day
– so men will give gifts then, sometimes returning the favor three-fold. The
day is named based on the idea that the color what is a symbol of purity: an
innocent kind of love.
Some things -- such as chocolate, gifts, and love – are international,
and Tomoko shares them all.
