by Shauna Okusako
A lucky few of you may have already participated in the Japanese adaptation of what Westerner�fs refer to as �gValentine�fs Day�h or �gSt. Valentine�fs Day.�h And, White day is only a month away. For those of you who have absolutely no idea what I�fm talking about, I will now attempt to define what I describe as the �gritual�h of Valentine�fs Day in Japan.
Just as it does in the west, Valentine�fs Day in Japan also happens to fall on February the 14th, which makes it very easy for us foreigners to remember the date. Images of Japanese Valentine�fs Day are also very similar with those of its Western counterpart in its promotion of romantic imagery of love and romance through the exchange of expensive chocolates. The great difference between Japanese and Western Valentine�fs Day becomes much more pronounced as we move into the ritual aspect of the two celebrations.
In Japan, there are different types of chocolate that can be purchased and given to the guy of your choice, work associates, friends, or other acquaintances. These chocolates are called, Honmei chocco, Giri chocco, and Tomo chocco. Honmei chocolate is an expensive or handmade chocolate that a girl will give to the boy she likes in an endeavor to win his affections.
Giri chocolate, literally translated to �gobligation chocolate,�h is the chocolate you give to co-workers or associates. Giri chocolate is cheaper and smaller than Honmei chocolate and can be given to male or female associates. Tomo chocolate, translated to �gfriend chocolate,�h is given to friends or acquaintances of either gender.
Valentine�fs Day in Japan provides a girl with the opportunity to inform the boy she likes of her affection, without ever actually having to open her mouth if she chooses not to. On February 14th, girls give the boys they like high quality chocolates that they have either bought or even better, made themselves. After the girl takes the initiative and gives the chocolate to the boy, the pressure shifts from her to him to either give her chocolate on �gWhite Day,�h symbolizing his mutual affection for her, or not give her chocolate on White Day, which is an indirect way of telling her he�fs not interested. White Day takes place exactly one month after Valentine�fs Day and falls on March 14th. One of my co-workers jokingly referred to White Day as Blue Day to symbolize the sadness of the girl at not receiving any chocolate from her guy�c.sad, but funny.
So anyway, I hope Valentine�fs/White day goes well for all of you this year and no one gets into too much trouble or breaks too many hearts. Also, a warning for you girls out there who want to get giri or tomo chocolate for your male co-workers or friends, make sure it doesn�ft look like there�fs too much thought involved or he might get the wrong idea and you may find yourself with your own tasty chocolate treat on White Day.