Valentine's Day is Approaching

Before coming to Japan, Russell and I had some idea that Valentine's day was kind of big here - and not celebrated in the way we were used to. From what we could tell, TV shows (live action and animated) that take place in a high school always have to have an episode for Valentine's Day.

From this early form of research, we had gathered that women are expected to make home-made chocolate to give to boys. Not just their boyfriends (who of course get the most special chocolate) but to all the boys - at least those in their social circle. In a typical Valentine's episode, the girl has a boy she's interested in but is too shy to confess to. She puts her heart and soul into making super amazing chocolates for him for Valentine's day and then confesses while practically throwing the gift at him. Depending on whether the show is a comedy or a drama, this can turn out different ways. Inedible chocolate, true love, accidentally switching chocolate boxes with the ones you meant to give your enemy. Etc. I imagine buying chocolate is just as common or more so, but its a lot harder to make a 40 minute plot out of standing in line to buy boxed chocolate.

I'm still not sure exactly sure how many boys the typical girl usually provides chocolate for. I know that women are expected to give chocolate to the men they work with once they leave school and start a career. It is hard for me to imagine girls in high school making chocolate for all the boys in their class... but who knows. While making chocolate for the man you love is suppose to be super romantic and a way to show off your domestic prowess, having to give chocolate to all the men around you is a bit of a nuisance at times (from what I hear). Apparently non-boyfriend chocolate has a special name - "giri-choco" or "obligation chocolate." As in, "I'm only giving this to you out of cultural obligation."

As far as I know (and I will know more come February 14th) boys are not expected to do anything except enjoy their chocolate on Valentine's Day. There is a Japanese holiday to balance that inequity, though. White Day is a day for men to return the favor by giving treats to the girls that gave them chocolate. One report I heard was that the treats are traditionally marshmallows. Not home made, of course.


I don't think the girls are buying the "equality" of the holidays. Even so, there is a serious gearing up at the moment for Valentine's Day. All of the stores (including convenience stores) have end displays with chocolate, supplies, moulds, recipes and decorative boxes. Today I found an end display with cooking supplies at the local Daiei (similar to Fred Meyer or Walmart), an aisle with boxes and wrappers for presenting your home made chocolates at the dollar store, and an end display of books and magazines with recipes and guides at the local bookstore. The season is upon us.

I also especially liked the display window outside of LOFT. Aside from being festive, it had the slogan "Girls be ambitious" included - a reference to "Boys be ambitious." Those were the parting words of a man from Massachussettes who helped found Hokkaido University back in the 1800s. They were meant to show that the torch was being passed to the Japanese leadership to continue progressing with the school. I see the phrase periodically throughout Japan. It seems to have struck a serious chord, culturally. The fact that it is being applied to women on the prowl for romance... classic.