Christmas in Japan

1
Christmas in Japan

• Studying our focus country, Japan and how they
  celebrate the holidays!

2
Christmas in Japan-Facts

• In Japan if you want to say Merry Christmas you
  would say Merri Kurisumasu
• In Japan, Santa Claus is called Santa Kurosu

3
Santa Kurosu

• Santa Claus is called Santa Kurosu in Japanese.
• Japanese children believe he has eyes in the back
  of his head to watch them all year long.
• He is also known as Hoteiosho, a priest who is an
  old man that carries a large sack on his back.
  Japanese children know him as the person who
  brings them gifts like Santa Claus does for
  American children.

4
More facts about Christmas in Japan

• Turkey is hard to find in Japan, so many people
  eat KFC instead.
• Because of KFCs marketing during this season,
  many Japanese people think Americans eat fried
  chicken on Christmas, rather than turkey or ham.

5
Christmas Cake

• The Christmas cake is one tradition that people
  in Japan celebrate.
• They make a sponge cake, topped with whipped
  cream and strawberries.
• Japanese Christmas cake is often decorated with
  Christmas figures (like Santa Kurosu and
  Christmas trees) and treats.
• The Christmas cake is bought by the father of the
  family on Christmas Eve.

6
Japanese Christmas Presents

• Presents are often given between friends or
  boyfriends and girlfriends.
• They are usually cute, like teddy bears, flowers,
  scarves, rings or other jewelry.
• Some presents are given to people that have done
  favors for you throughout the year. These are
  called Oseibo and can be returned or exchanged
  for things of equal value.

7
More facts about Christmas in Japan

• Christmas is not considered a religious holiday
  in Japan.
• Instead they treat it very similar to Valentines
  Day in America.

8
Differences between Christmas in America and
Christmas in Japan

• In Japan people have to go to work or school on
  Christmas.
• Many Japanese businesses sell Christmas items,
  but they do not talk about Jesus on Christmas.
  The reason why is that only about 1 in every 2
  million Japanese people is a Christian.
• However, they do play festive music in the
  streets and hang many lights from streetlights
  and trees.

9
Differences continued

• Many people have parties and games for children
  on Christmas Eve.
• Many people see the holiday as a chance to
  celebrate the love of their children. Parents
  give gifts to children.
• Trees are decorated, but sometimes with paper
  lanterns, wind chimes, candles, or origami swans.

10
History of Christmas in Japan

• Christmas has not always been celebrated in
  Japan.
• Early Christians in Japan (around the year 1550)
  celebrated Christmas.
• It was later declared illegal to be a Christian
  by the Emperor, so people who celebrated had to
  do so in secret.

11
Christmas History continued

• Later, after the Emperor was unseated, the
  Japanese began to celebrate Christmas again.
• However, with the start of World War II, many
  Japanese refused to follow Western trends and the
  government outlawed the western holiday.
• After the war people began to celebrate Christmas
  again. Today people celebrate Christmas as a
  non-religious holiday.
• They give gifts and eat special food, but do not
  celebrate Christmas as the birth of Jesus,
  because most Japanese people are not Christian,
  but Shinto or Buddhist.

12
Popular Christmas Customs

• Many people give gifts
• Many people eat fried chicken instead of turkey.
• Many people eat a Christmas cake.
• Some people decorate with trees and lights.

13
?s to think about

• What are some ways that Christmas is the same in
  our country and Japan?
• What are some ways it is different in both
  countries?
• Make a Venn Diagram to share ways the two
  celebrations are alike and different.
• If you lived in Japan, how would you celebrate
  Christmas?