120 likes | 140 Views
Explore the origins and evolution of gift-giving traditions in Japan, including the etiquette, occasions, and omiage customs. Learn about the dark side and basic etiquette for social gatherings, as well as the significance of recreation in Japanese culture.
E N D
Gift giving in Japan: Origins • Origins in offerings made to deities (kami) • Arises out of traditional feelings of giri and on. • All gifts must therefore be reciprocated. • Exchanges are traditionally between households (ie) rather than individuals
Gift giving in Japan: evolution • With urbanization has come change • Urbanites are outside traditional community webs • They have less time, money, space • Some consequences: • Gift giving is treated as an empty formality arising from giri • Gift giving from individual to individual is on the rise • Valentine’s Day, White Day • Collective gift giving, competitive gift giving • Taraimawashi: the “gift room”
Gift giving in Japan: etiquette • Gifts are always wrapped (even if the gift is laundry soap). • The giver should disparage the gift • “It’s really nothing….” • It is usually not opened in front of the giver • Exception: food to be shared • The wrapping is removed intact by the receiver
Gift giving in Japan: occasions • Obon and New Year’s: ochūgen and oseibo • Mostly within families and company groups • Popularity in decline • In gratitude for assistance rendered • In time of illness, or by a teacher, etc. • Special occasions • Rites of passage, sometimes birthdays
Gift giving in Japan: omiage • Gifts brought back from a trip • Dates back to the Ise pilgrimage of the Tokugawa era • Sometimes competitive
Gift giving in Japan: the dark side • The thin line between gratitude and bribery • Gifts to teachers • The “Recruit scandal”
Dinner Entertainment • restaurant vs ryōtei料亭 (ryootei) • Formal business entertainment is usually done at ryōtei • But, restaurants and bars (including izakaya) are popular sites for less formal gatherings
Basic etiquette for social gatherings (Befu) • Never pour your own drink; if you want more, pour someone else some. • Be sure to hold your glass when it is being filled. • Stay engaged with the group as a whole; stay on the subject of conversation. • When you are the main person at the gathering, you choose the topic of conversation. • Self-deprecating remarks are always appropriate. • Friendly argument and debate is appropriate • If you’ve had enough to drink, leave your cup full.
Recreation and the “group” • the case of Japanese skiiers in Korea (Brandt) • As always, style is important! • Outfits that match, and matching outfits • Group performance valued • “frame” characteristics in an “attribute” group • Hierarchy prevails, by skill and seniority • Organization frame more important than ethnicity • The Japanese ski instructor did not associate with the ski club
Recreation in Japan: pro baseball • Features in common with Koshien include group cheering and cheerleaders • However, there is less identification with the team than with Koshien • Commentary also focuses more on technique
Foreign players in Japanese baseball • A case of soto-uchi: Tuffy Rhodes and Sadaharu Oh • Oh is now owner of the Daiei Hawks
Summary • The intracacies of gift giving • Dinner entertainment as group-fortifying activity – bonding in the frame • Other social groups form by common interest • Coffee-klatches • Sports clubs • The group at the national level: baseball