Happy Halloween
What is this about Halloween in Japan?
Until recently, we didn't know that there was such a holiday
called Halloween on October 31.
Halloween originated in Scotland and it was believed to be a day
when bad spirits were warded off.。
In the US, people use pumpkins to make Jack O' Lanterns. In Japan, most pumpkins are smaller and green on the outside. In Japanese, pumpkins are called "kabocha". This year our ALT used "kabocha" to make Jack O' Lanterns (pictured above). During English class, we lit the candle and showed our students the lantern's scary orange face. Our students were suprised when we told them that the world's largest pumpkins weigh over 400 kg. After all, they thought that the green pumpkins in the above picture were pretty large already.
When we told our students about trick or treating, they immediately screamed that they wanted to celebrate Halloween. Hmm...Could it be that they want the candy?
Do we have such a holiday in Naka-cho?
Actually, we have a similar day in this area!
There are places in Naka-cho where people celebrate a day called "Kitsune Oi," or "Chase away the Foxes". On this day, all of boys gather and walk around their neighborhood in a large group. They sing a special song or say a special phrase in an effort to chase away bad spirits. As the boys walk around in one large group, they receive rice and money from their neighbors.
In Nishiwaki city, Naka-cho's neighboring city, there is an event called "Yamanokuchi"
In Japan, New Years last from January 1st to the 15th. On January 14th, children carry a barrel on their backs and walk around their neighborhood. During this event, they can say only one word, "Yamanokuchi". Again, they receive rice and/or money from their neighbors.
In both cases, the children go to the region's Shinto shrine last where they participate in a ceremony using a bow and arrow. The ceremony is held to ward off evil spirits and to pray for a good harvest.
Note: We are not quite certain that the information about the two Japanese events are correct. The 8th graders are presently researching this topic for the revised edition of the "Introduction to Naka-cho" booklet. If we find that any of this information is correct, we will correct it immediately.
 |
 home |
