Jeepney Press / Alma Reyes

Traffic / By Alma Reyes

Japanese Christmas = Illumination

Japanese Christmas = Illumination

Photo by Alma Reyes

Christmas time means different things for different people. For many of us who are separated from our families and loved ones during such a festive occasion especially during this pandemic, Christmas in a faraway land can bring about a sentimental and low-spirited mood. I admit often carrying a strange feeling seeing Christmas celebrated in Japan by local people who are not knowledgeable of Christian practices, that I wonder inevitably what Christmas decorations, gifts and that incomprehensible Christmas cake and chicken really mean to them. In many parts of the world, we witness singing angels or mangers as part of the Yuletide decor. However, I’ve realized that I hardly find these symbols in “Japanese Christmas,” which is rather filled with Santa Claus and pine trees. Do they put up a Christmas tree just to be “in the trend” or hope to feel “foreign”? More baffling is why Christmas Eve in Japan connotes some pressure to find a partner to spend that supposedly romantic evening with; thus, restaurants on the Eve are usually swarmed by couples, whereas I have always understood traditional Christmas in our country as the precious time for family togetherness. It’s no wonder that Japan concentrates profusely on illuminating the streets as its sole perception of the holiday celebration. For a culture that parties on Halloween and Thanksgiving even if these holidays are not part of the traditional customs, it is not entirely surprising that Japanese would find any reason to celebrate any world festival.

Japanese Christmas = Illumination

Photo by Alma Reyes

Here are some collected shots of Christmas illumination around Tokyo over the past years.

A healthy and loving Christmas season to all!

Japanese Christmas = Illumination

Photo by Alma Reyes

ALMA REYES

Jeepney Press