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Published: February 14th 2005
Jump With Me!!
This has absolutely nothing to do with Valentines Day, but here is a picture of Josh my roommate on the left and Jimmy my suitemate on the right jumping together for joy.For those of you who were convinced that I would never
return to my blog, worry no longer because I am back and I
have an exciting lesson to share with you about St.
Valentines Day and the way it is celebrated in Japan.
Much like the western world, February 14th in Japan is
still a time for Cupid to make love blossom between two
hearts, lovers to share enchanted and romantic evenings
together, and gifts to be exchanged, well sort of.
In Japan, on St. Valentines Day women are the only ones
doing the giving. It is thier responsibility to give
chocolates while the men do not give the women anything.
There are two types of chocolate giving that occurs in
Japan. The first type is “honmei” or homemade chocolate
giving and these chocolates are made by women and then
presented to their boyfriends, lovers, husbands, etc. on
St. Valentines Day. In addition, honmei chocolates are
also given to those gentlemen that the ladies have crushes
on. For example, if I were a lady that had my eye set on
a
But wait, there is more!
Okay. . . so I wanted to jump too. fine looking male, come February 14th I would present
him with the most glorious honmei chocolates you would
ever see. Hopefully, after he knew that I was interested
in him he would ask me for my number, then out on a date,
and eventually we would get married and live happily ever
after. Please keep in mind that it is possible and quite
common for one man to receive chocolates from several
different ladies and this can be very taxing for the man,
because he then has to decide which candidate is really
his true love.
Before all you western ladies get all bent out of shape
about how crooked and backwards the Japanese Valentines
Day is let me let you in on Japanese holiday that is not
celebrated in the west. March 14th in Japan is known as
White Day and was created in the 1960’s by a marshmallow
company. This day is the exact opposite of Valentines Day
in that it is when the men are to show the women how much
they care for them. Good news for the
Christmas Dinner - Japanese Style
So this picture is really in the wrong place, but I still wanted to share it with you. April and I know how to celebrate and once again we did it up right. Japanese ladies,
the men don’t get off the hook by simply making some
chocolates and presenting them. Instead they are expected
to give pricy gifts, pay for expensive dinners, nights at
love hotels, and give flowers - the whole works!! This is
also the time when the man that received several home made
chocolates on St. Valentines Day must make his official
decision on who it is that will be his new love bunny.
For all of those western ladies reading today I completely
understand that until now you were not aware of these
Japanese customs and this is why I am giving you all a one
week extension on your chocolate deadline. Whether you
are sending honmei chocolates or giri chocolates (you know
where you stand) I expect them in my mailboxes by this
time next week. Lastly, a quick word of advice for those
sending honmei chocolates, remember I like red cherries
and cream cheese icing. For those that will be purchasing
me chocolates this year, Godiva will be fine.
Happy Saint Valentines Day to all of you
Southern Laos, Don Det Island
South East Asia Pictures Part 1 have finally been uploaded. Again, the quality isn't the best on all of them - remember my camera was stolen. Parts 2 and 3 are coming soon.
Love,
Spencer
Click For South East Asia Pictures
Click For Kobe, Japan Pictures
Click For Hiroshima, Japan Pictures
Click For Danjiri Festival Pictures
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anonymous
non-member comment
hey dawg.......i got your post card yesterday, exactly on valentines day. But yea im just here in 2nd period and i though id look at your blog. peace Little Broski - LoGan