Easter isn't well known or celebrated in Japan. The overall Christian population in Japan is low. On Crazy Victoriana Crazy for Quilts, Janie asked the question, "How do you and your family celebrate Easter?"
When I was a child, I went to Sunday School and Church (Redeemer Luthern Church in Gillespie, Illinois) in a new Easter dress and decorated boiled eggs and received an Easter basket with chocolate and marshmallow Peeps from the Easter Bunny.
In the last few years before coming to Japan, we hosted Ted's mom for the holiday weekends and colored eggs. Sometimes we took a little trip to the Botanical Gardens or Lake Johnson or another place. One year we went to Appomattox.
Now that I am in Japan, I think about Easter on the day and remember why it is celebrated, but that's the extent. No church or chocolate candy or marshmallow Peeps or colored eggs. I did receive a card from my friend Jeanette in the US.
I love this post. It's fun to see how you have celebrated in the past. I don't think you're missing a lot as far as the Peeps are concerned! Enjoy a lovely weekend!
Actually I am a bit surprised that Easter hasn't become a 'holiday' in Japan. Now, I don't mean a red day holiday when schools are closed, but the festivities. Christmas, St Valentines Day, and Halloween to some extent, have become events with REAL commercial values. Why have the chocolate manufacturers not promoted Easter egg, chocolate bunnies, or the bakers Hot Cross Buns? Why do we not see Easter decorations in shops - florists and tableware stores would be able to make a lot of money if they took this chance.
Japan never stops producing surprises! Since they have created their own traditions for Christmas, Valentine Day, and more, I would expect them to have found some novel way to have Easter baskets or candy eggs or something. Thanks for this information: you always increase my cultural knowledge in new ways.
Hi Pamela, I started following your blog a month or so ago but have just gone back to the beginning and am reading all your early posts about Japan. I’m finding it fascinating. Thank you so much for recording all the little things that make living in another culture challenging and interesting. Happy Easter!
An interesting post. Some assume that holidays in THEIR country are celebrated across the world. I was raised Catholic and Easter was a big deal. Then the priest scandal became news and I stopped going to church. Have a good Sunday. xx, Carol
Making family memories is so worthwhile. You must be glad to have happy times with your family growing up and with your husband's family later. We usually spent Easter together - as many of us as could make it. Church, Easter eggs - even when we were in college, making and sharing the meal are my memories. Now that my parents are gone I have these memories to sustain me. Easter is still church and connections - mostly phone calls.
I saw a surprising amount of Easter decoration when we were in Japan, considering they don't even celebrate it! I am glad you have so many wonderful Easters to look back to.
I love this post. It's fun to see how you have celebrated in the past. I don't think you're missing a lot as far as the Peeps are concerned! Enjoy a lovely weekend!
ReplyDeleteWonderful, happy celebrations.
ReplyDeleteEaster egg hunts were always enjoyed by my kids, lots of silliness.
Happy Easter Pamela.
Actually I am a bit surprised that Easter hasn't become a 'holiday' in Japan. Now, I don't mean a red day holiday when schools are closed, but the festivities.
ReplyDeleteChristmas, St Valentines Day, and Halloween to some extent, have become events with REAL commercial values. Why have the chocolate manufacturers not promoted Easter egg, chocolate bunnies, or the bakers Hot Cross Buns? Why do we not see Easter decorations in shops - florists and tableware stores would be able to make a lot of money if they took this chance.
Japan never stops producing surprises! Since they have created their own traditions for Christmas, Valentine Day, and more, I would expect them to have found some novel way to have Easter baskets or candy eggs or something. Thanks for this information: you always increase my cultural knowledge in new ways.
ReplyDeletebest... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Hi Pamela, I started following your blog a month or so ago but have just gone back to the beginning and am reading all your early posts about Japan. I’m finding it fascinating. Thank you so much for recording all the little things that make living in another culture challenging and interesting. Happy Easter!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful Easter!
ReplyDeleteAn interesting post. Some assume that holidays in THEIR country are celebrated across the world. I was raised Catholic and Easter was a big deal. Then the priest scandal became news and I stopped going to church.
ReplyDeleteHave a good Sunday.
xx, Carol
Making family memories is so worthwhile. You must be glad to have happy times with your family growing up and with your husband's family later. We usually spent Easter together - as many of us as could make it. Church, Easter eggs - even when we were in college, making and sharing the meal are my memories. Now that my parents are gone I have these memories to sustain me. Easter is still church and connections - mostly phone calls.
ReplyDeleteWonderful to have those great family memories.
ReplyDeleteI saw a surprising amount of Easter decoration when we were in Japan, considering they don't even celebrate it! I am glad you have so many wonderful Easters to look back to.
ReplyDelete