Omisoka - New Years Eve

Ōmisoka, New Years’ Day, is the second most important day of the year in Japan. There are a few reasons for this, the largest being that it is the final day of the year and precedes the most important day of the year.

Like in many places and for many holidays there are some common traditions people have for this day. Here are a few:

Ōsōji (big clean up)– In Japan in preparation for the New Year it is customary to clean basically everything; your house, your office on the last day of work before the New Year break, and yourself. This has, in part, to do with Shinto belief in which cleanliness is the most important virtue and signifies a fresh clean state for the New Year. People in Japan also attempt to settle all debts, obligations and problems in relationships to start clean in the New Year.

Decoration – Many people in Japan decorate for the New Year. Common decorations are Shimekazari (rope of straw with dangling strips of paper) which are said to prevent malevolent spirits from entering the building and Kadomatsu (pine boughs, bamboo and bamboo grass) which is said will bring good luck throughout the year. In Shinto they bring good luck because Toshigami (a god of the New Year) bless clean buildings that have Kadomatsu.

Food – It is tradition to prepare the New Years’ Day feast (Osechi ) on New Years’ Eve. On New Years’ Eve at around 11:00 PM people eat toshikoshi-soba or toshikoshi-udon (Long thin Buckwheat noodles). The reason for this is Toshi Koshi means crossover year noodle and long noodles represent long life.

Kōhaku Uta Gassen (Red vs white singing contest) – Many people tune into NHK in the evening on New Year’s Eve to watch this program. The show is a singing contest, popular singers from the past year are gathered together and divided into teams. Female singers are grouped in the Akagumi (Red team) and male singers are grouped in the Sirogumi (White team). Both teams alternately sing until around 11:30, then audiences and selected judges cast their votes on which side sung better. The winning team gets a trophy and a flag. Program ends at around 11:45, various midnight celebrations are then shown.

Ninen-mairi (two year travel for prayer) – Many people go to shrines or Buddhist temples on New Years’ Eve. Shinto shrines (and some Buddhist temples) prepare amazake (sweet Sake) to pass out to crowds that gather to say prayers, make wishes, etc. The shrines sell charms and people bring in last year’s charms for disposal.

Joya-no-kane – A Buddhist tradition, that is thought to have originated in China first done in Japan during the Edo period, is to ring giant bells (kane) 108 times on New Years’ Eve. The ringing of the bells starts at different times at different places, some have it at say 11:00 and it finishes just after midnight. The reason they ring the bells is because in Buddhism, it is said that humans have 108 earthly desires that are the source of all sufferings, and each toll of the bell helps people rid themselves of one of these desires; therefore people will start the New Year with a pure mind. Many Shinto shrines follow this practice as well.

Ranma Diorama's

For Christmas this year my sister gave me the Ranma dioramas seen in the picture above.

Christmas in Japan

Christmas is a primarily Christian holiday, less than 1 percent of Japanese are Christian. This is why Christmas is not a national holiday in Japan. Just because the Japanese aren’t Christian and likely do not know what Christmas stands for it is still celebrated in Japan. In Japan, Christmas Eve is celebrated more than the Christmas Day. A tradition for Christmas Eve in Japan is for young men to give their girlfriends gifts like jewelry, take them out to eat at a restaurant, and maybe a night at a hotel.

The Japanese do decorate using Christmas things like Christmas trees, lights, and Santa Claus. Though most of the decorating is done by businesses, who very much would like that people celebrate Christmas like it is done in the United States. Christmas cards are given out by some people but not red ones; red cards are used to print funeral notices.

Gifts are given to children if the child still believes in Santa Claus. Children generally do not give presents to parents, since Santa only gives gifts to Children. Santa is called Santa Claus or Santa no ojisan (uncle Santa).

Common foods eaten on Christmas are Christmas cakes. Which are a sponge cake and look like miniature birthday cakes with Christmas designs (things like Santa Claus being on them). It is possible that this started out having something to do with Christmas day being Christ’s Birthday, but as far as I know it is unknown if that is the case. Cake shops throughout Japan always try to sell all their Christmas cakes before Christmas Eve. Any cakes left after Christmas are seen to be very old or out of date. Women over 25 years old used to be called:unsold Christmas Cake. This saying is becoming less common.

Thanks to heavy advertising by Kentucky Fried Chicken; chicken thighs and legs are commonly eaten on Christmas in Japan. Another popular food eaten on Christmas in Japan is pizza.

Like in the United States, the Japanese also have Christmas specials for example there is a Ranma Christmas episode, a Love Hina one, and a Your Under Arrest one, etc.

Tennō Tanjōbi - Emperor's Birthday

On December 23, 1933 the current emperor of Japan, Emperor Akihito, was born. In Japan, whatever day happens to be the current emperors birthday is a national holiday. This practice of making the emperor's birthday a national holiday has been around since 1868.

There are only two days of the year in which the Imperial Palace is open to the public; The Emperor's Birthday and January Second. This is a time for the Imperial family to meet and greet their loyal Japanese subjects, in the sense that they show up on the balcony and wave behind bullet proof glass. Admission is free. Upon entry into the courtyard below the balcony members of the public are given a free Japanese flag, which is generally waved when the Emperor finishes his address to the people. Shouts of Banzai (which means 10000 years but in this context means long live the emperor) are also commonly shouted. The crowd is generally made up of old people and tourists.

There is some doubt as to the date of the first emperor of Japan but the commonly accepted date is 660 BC. When Emperor Akihato became emperor on January 9, 1989 - succeeding his father Emperor Hirohito (who was emperor for longer than any other emperor, reigned for 63 years)- he became the 125th occupant of the Chrysanthemum throne (common name given to the Imperial throne of Japan in English).

The first Emperor of Japan is commonly consider to be Emperor Jimmu, though very little is actually known about him. Most of what is known about Jimmu comes from the oldest historical work existing in Japan: the Kojiki. There is even debate as to whether or not he really existed, not surprising when it is said he lived 126 years and his posthumous name means "divine might" or "god-warrior" since posthumous names are a Buddhist tradition and Buddhism didn't enter Japan until centuries later. According to Shinto belief, Jimmu is thought to be a direct descendant of the sun goddess, Amaterasu. Partly because of this until 1945 the emperor was officially regarded as divine and was in many ways treated like a living god. People were not allowed to gaze upon him directly and had to prostate themselves on the ground as he passed.

Trivia on Emperors in Japan:
-The Emperor nowadays is not the chief executive. The Constitution of Japan explicitly vests executive power in the Cabinet and the Prime Minister. He has no reserve powers related to government. The few duties he performs are closely regulated by the constitution.
-The Japanese have several words for Emperor. When talking about the Japanese emperor the word Tenno (heavens ruler) is used, the old term Sumeramikoto (heavenly ruler above the clouds) can be used as well. When talking about an emperor who is not or was not an emperor of Japan the term kōtei is used (Chinese word for emperor).
-It is the oldest continuing hereditary monarchy in the world.
-There have been female emperor's (the term Empress is used for wife of the emperor). Though as of 1889 females can not become emperor.
-The Japanese imperial dynasty consistently practiced official polygamy. This practice did not end until the Taishō period (1912-1926).

Gift giving in Japan

The Japanese give gifts very often, not only because they want to but because of giri (loosely means social obligation). This is not uniquely Japanese, many cultures and people feel they have to give gifts to certain people on holidays/birthdays, particularly if the person had given them a gift.

Some gift giving etiquette (these are generalities since some people will be more informal):
-Give gifts with both hands. Giving a gift with one hand out front and another to the side or behind your back show a lack of intimacy or sincerity.
-Take some time thinking about how much to spend on the gift. Don’t want to spend too much making the person feel socially obligated or spend too little and insult them.
-It is customary to initially refuse offered gifts a few times. The giver of the gift will insist that you take the gift anyway. This is a common verbal dance that everyone knows how will end (you accepting the gift).
-People when given a gift will often put the gift to the side without opening it. This is done to save face, if the gift does not meet the standards or expectations of the receiver, thus preventing embarrassment.
-Purchased gifts are generally preferred to homemade, since homemade are usually considered cheaper.
-How the gift is wrapped is in many ways more important than the actual gift. Very few people wrap the gifts themselves instead have it wrapped by a professional or have it in a department store bag.
-If given a gift, give a gift in return.
-If giving a personal gift, do it one on one not when in a group.

Some gifts not to give:
-Anything in four parts/set of four since the word for four is the same as the word for death (shi).
-Avoiding nine is a good idea as well since it is a homophone for suffering.
-Combs. The word for comb is Kushi which when broken apart means suffering (ku) and death (shi).
-Green Tea. Generally not a good idea since is used at funerals and memorial services.
-Clothes that touch the skin to the elderly, is considered an intimate gift.

Gifts are given for many reasons, here is some (list is incomplete):

Temiyage: Gifts given to say thank you or sorry.
Omiyage: Souvenirs. It is customary to bring back souvenirs for coworkers/family when you go on a trip. The reason for this is to assuage the shame of leaving to take a vacation/trip. These are also the gifts you would give to someone when you visit someone’s home for the first time. It is impolite to not give a gift when visiting someone’s house (called tebura -meaning empty handed).
Hikkoshi Aisatsu: Gifts given when moving into a building or neighborhood by the newcomers to introduce themselves. Traditionally this was a dish towel. Though more commonly nowadays some type of sweet like cookies or rice cakes are given instead.
Osenbetsu: Farewell gifts given to people who are leaving town or departing from a job. The most common gift is cash. A thank you card is generally expected in return.
Go Nyu-gaku Iwai: Gifts given to children who are entering a new school. Most common given gifts are school related ones like books.
Omimai: Gifts given when visiting someone in a hospital. Most commonly given gifts are cut flowers and books. Do not give plants with roots since it symbolizes a long stay or camellias which remind people of death.
Go-Kekkon Iwai: Wedding gifts. Usual gift given to the newlyweds is cash, preferably crisp new bills since they symbolize the couple's new life together. The person throwing the wedding gives a bag of gifts to the guests as well.
Go-Shussan Iwai: Gifts for healthy newborns. The gift is usually given a week after the babies birth and is usually things like clothing and toys. If the baby is not healthy it’s a good idea to wait to give them the gift until the baby is healthy. In return the parents of the baby will give a small gift usually something like a cup with the babies name on it.
Ososhiki: Funeral gifts. Guests usually bring money, old used used bills to symbolize being unprepared, and are given a gift in return.

Oseibo and Ochugen

Oseibo is a custom of presenting a gift to an indebted person (co-workers, bosses, relatives, match maker, teachers, friends, etc…) at years end (usually between December first and December twentieth).

Ochugen is like Oseibo, except it is mid-year commonly given around July fifteenth. The celebration of Chugen maybe older than Oseibo. Ochugen comes from Taoism with July 15 being a ceremonial day of Taoism, it is also a day of Obon of Buddhism. The Taoism was gradually mixed with the Buddhism, and people came to distribute the gift to the vicinity and the close relative. That present was originally the one offered to the dead at Bon Festival. The old Chinese myth that made this a celebratory day in Taoism is about a god who was born on July 15. The god loved people and forgave their sins, people celebrated the god by setting a fire all day long and donating some gifts.

The most popular presents to give on Oseibo and Ochungen are Sanchokuhin. Sanchokuhin are items sent directly from the production shop or factory. Stores in Japan have made gift giving very easy, promoting Sancokuhin. The stores put up lots of displays and the customer then chooses the item/items they want and the store will have it delivered to any address in Japan. Generally the types of gifts are meat or fruits, dry food or kitchen items in bulk or basically anything that can be eaten or serves a practical purpose in any household. Generally the gift giver shouldn’t give decorative items or souvenirs. The reason for that, is so that if you get a gift that you don’t like or won’t use you can give it to someone else. Some housewives in Japan have made this passing on gifts into an art form, buying almost no presents instead give out the gifts they’ve received. Though they have to be careful to not give the same gift to the person they got it from.

It is thought that Oseibo, the year-end gift, is more important than Ochugen (midyear present). Part of the reason for this is that it coincides with company employees receiving a special bonus in addition to their monthly salaries. Average amount spent per gift is around 5000 yen (though this varies greatly on who your giving the gift to -bosses tend to be given better gifts, how obligated you feel to the person, your budget, etc…)

Oseibo and Ochugen gifts are usually wrapped in noshi (pictured above).

Vital Points/ Pressure Points

The use of pressure points and hitting vital points has been a part of combat since prehistoric times. This is obvious from the study of isolated tribal people who live similarly to prehistoric people; like the Aleuts (or as they call themselves the Unangan, which means "the people" in their language). The Aleuts are a tribal people that inhabit the islands called the Aleutian Islands (about 1,800 km southwestward from the Alaskan mainland). They have a martial arts style derived from watching animals fight, particularly sea-lions and dogs. In their observations they noticed that the animals will attack particularly vulnerable parts of the body.

Both Chinese and Japanese martial arts make use of vital spots/pressure points. Ranma in the manga occasionally makes use of these types of attacks, for example the fight with Kuno or the fight versus the Dojo Destroyer. Takahashi is not a martial artist and does not have Ranma use the actual vulnerable spots (nerve clusters, organs, etc.), instead uses places considered to be them in popular culture/chosen at random and then have him or another character state he hit them.

A story in which Ranma fights human characters would likely have him use these types of attacks occasionally. While there are many attacks Ranma is unlikely to do, since he doesn't want to maim or kill his opponents, there are many he would be expected to use or prevent his opponent from hitting. It would be out of character for Ranma to do attacks like a finger gouge to the eyes, hit the mastoid process (which could cause loss of motor control or paralysis), or rabbit punch someone to the base of the skull (could damage the cervical vertebra causing paralysis or death). Ranma in all likelihood has a lot of knowledge on human anatomy (kind of needs to so as to not hurt his opponents, even if he doesn't know the scientific names for the body parts, additionally supported since Ranma can be seen reading these types of charts in the manga -example Miss Hinako intro arc). The thing is I have no idea as to how a writer would convey the use of these types of attacks in literature. Too detailed will likely just annoy readers. Writing it like this: "Ranma did a quick jab to the brachioradialis muscle in the upper lateral forearm temporarily paralyzing Ryoga's arm." Is probably not the way to go about it. This is in part why I dislike and haven't posted any story I attempted to write, I really don't know how to write a fight scene (there are other reasons as well).

Though Ranma is also likely to use foot reflexology is called Zoku Shin Do, massage (offers one to Nabiki, gives one to Akane to calm her down, gives Rouge the Ashura one during battle), chiropractics (Ranma is shown reading a book on it), Acupuncture, Moxibiton, etc. outside of battle as well such as healing ones or for pleasure.