Obon

“Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel.” II Timothy 2:8

The festive atmosphere associated with the local bon odori beckoned our young family to join in, but we held back, wondering if we should participate in this unfamiliar cultural activity. However, the sound of laughter and merry music were like a magnet pulling us in as we watched neighbors of all ages dancing in rhythm while wearing colorful, traditional attire. From previous research, we understood that the celebration historically centered on acknowledging the return of one’s dead ancestors. However, the majority of the participants were probably unaware of the festival’s origins. Over the years, obon had steadily evolved into a quasi-family reunion where people return to their ancestral homes to pay homage to their deceased ancestors and reconnect with family.

The exact etymology of the term bon (盆) remains unclear and the “o” is an honorific prefix that was added at some point. This annual celebration primarily traces its roots outside of Japan, as it includes elements of Buddhism and Daoism. Many scholars believe “bon” is actually a transliteration of an ancient Sanskrit word. Similar festivals in other cultures are commonly called “lantern festivals” and that same terminology is sometimes used in association with obon practices in Japan. The Japan version usually spans a three-day period in the middle of August, but the exact starting date differs slightly from region to region. Obon is generally regarded as a time when ancestral spirits visit their respective household altars and graves, which prompts relatives to make preparations to welcome them back. Such preparations will include the gathering of family members, cleaning family graves and stocking them with food and flowers. In addition, communities throughout Japan host obon dances, called bon odori to invite the spirits home. The participants in the dance typically wear a yukata, which is a light cotton kimono, and in addition to dancing, they enjoy simple carnival games and local foods served for the crowd.

At the outset of obon, small fires are often lit to guide the spirits home and at the conclusion of the three days another fire is used to send the spirits back. Some localities may sponsor a much larger communal fire for the same purpose while others customarily place floating lanterns in bodies of water to help the spirits return to their world. People who have lost a family member within the past year may give special attention to the annual obon preparations and take extra measures to attend.

Although few Japanese believe in the religious overtones of obon, many continue to dutifully follow the traditions handed down to them by their family and everyone enjoys the rare three-day break from work routines. Technically, obon is not a public holiday, but most businesses give their employees the time off, which in turn results in massive transportation issues with large numbers of people seeking to travel home at the same time.

While it is a good thing to acknowledge and express thankfulness for the lives of ancestors who contributed to our present existence, we must be careful in where we draw the lines in such activities. Well-intended celebrations and ceremonies centered on deceased loved ones can easily spill over into alternative forms of idolatry that the Scriptures clearly forbid. For example, attending a graveside ceremony can be an acceptable sign of respect and love, but the offering of food or incense to the dead crosses a line that morphs into an act of worship and betrays our devotion to the One True God. But there is one exception to this practice who we much clearly remember and honor. (II Timothy 2:8) Jesus Christ was truly raised from the dead. This is our gospel. His life and death are worth celebrating and sharing.

Christmas Trees

“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people.” Galatians 6:10a

Christmas trees3

It was a bit of a challenge to procure our first Christmas tree in 1984 in Japan, but we had the opposite problem 27 years later when we almost had too many Christmas trees. Let me explain. Over the years, Christmas has steadily grown in popularity in Japan. Therefore, Christmas decorations, presents, and Christmas music have now become quite common, particularly in the more urban areas. But for many who lost everything in the 2011 tsunami, things looked pretty bleak as December 25th drew near. Most people in the area were unemployed and lived in temporary housing units with minimal possessions in very cramped quarters. Morale was understandably low, so the Japanese government decided to do something in an attempt to improve the situation. They provided Christmas trees. Literally dozens of Christmas trees were placed in each of the makeshift community rooms located among the many temporary dwelling sites scattered along the devastated coastline. While their intentions were good, this presented a problem. No one knew what to do with these trees. That is where we entered the picture.

Just a few months earlier, we had spearheaded a relief work along a significant stretch of the affected area but increasingly, we sensed God was calling us to limit our efforts to a particular location. But we wondered how we could possibly gain acceptance within this shattered community and earn their trust that would in turn, enhance our effectiveness. The unexpected solution… Christmas trees! The local governmental agency in charge of the area had heard of our work and knew we were Christians. Therefore, they asked if we would be willing to help with the decoration of these trees that were languishing unattended in all the community rooms. Recognizing an amazing provision by God, we leapt into action and along with many volunteers, initiated a frenzy of Christmas tree decoration activities.

We quickly put a serious dent in the local supplies of Christmas decorations from still-existing stores and immediately sent out a call for volunteers from across Japan to bring more when they came to help. We organized Christmas parties at each location and disaster victims eagerly embraced the opportunity to experience community again while decorating a tree. They chatted with neighbors while Christmas music played in the background and consumed the hundreds of Christmas cookies volunteers also brought with them. We distributed small gifts, played fun games, sang Christmas carols and hundreds heard the amazing story of God’s provision of a Savior for the very first time. Light entered into their darkness and it all began with a simple Christmas tree. Sometimes we did three to four parties a day racing from one location to another in what felt like an endless loop. But in the midst of our exhaustion we were awed and humbled to be part of these unexpected developments. It was a powerful lesson that the God who dramatically interjected Himself into history in a manger continues to intervene in human affairs through something as mundane as a Christmas tree. Each of those trees served as a vivid reminder that God loves people and cares passionately for the brokenness of our world.

Over the course of many months, we learned that the nature of relief work centers on opportunities to do good for people, which is actually a biblical command (Galatians 6:10). Good works come in many forms, almost always demanding some kind of sacrifice from us, but they all begin with an opportunity that is uniquely provided by God to accomplish His divine purposes. Our willingness to respond in faith and obedience is all He asks of us. He will provide the Christmas trees.

Foreign Holidays

“This is a day you are to commemorate;” Exodus 12:14a

Christmas in Japan

It was our first Christmas Day in Japan and everything felt wrong when I surveyed the world around me. Children were in school, the banks were open and the stores were full of customers. Besides the beautiful blanket of snow covering the ground, there was no visible evidence of Christmas. In the preceding weeks, we had managed to procure a Christmas tree, wrapped our collection of gifts and even tracked down a place that sold turkeys as part of our preparation to celebrate Jesus’ birth. But Christmas was obviously not a major event in Japan.

Many years later, Christmas is still not recognized as a national holiday in Japan, but it is certainly on the nation’s radar. For example, Christmas music is now commonly played in numerous venues. Christmas trees and decorations are sold everywhere. People are increasingly putting up Christmas lights on their homes and giant light displays known as “iruminēshon” (illumination) have become popular attractions. Christmas Eve is generally considered to be a romantic time for young couples in love who celebrate the occasion by going out for a special meal, exchanging gifts and visiting a local iruminēshon. Japanese have even developed their own genre of Christmas music composed and performed by famous artists. A sample of this is a song by Takeuchi Mariya called “Sutekina Kurisumasu” (“Lovely Christmas”). Local merchants are naturally very enthusiastic about anything that puts more money in their pockets, which also accounts for the increasing popularity of other foreign special days like Easter, Valentine’s Day and, more recently, Halloween. Tokyo Disneyland has particularly capitalized on these trends featuring special events, displays, menu items and merchandise that match these festive occasions.

Of course, Japan has its own standard holidays like Constitution Day, Sports Day, Children’s Day, Respect for the Elderly Day, the Emperor’s Birthday, Labor Day, Marine Day and Vernal Equinox, but these do not easily lend themselves to celebratory events. Churches throughout Japan are understandably keen to capitalize on people’s interest in Christmas, so they typically sponsor a variety of meetings designed to share the true meaning of Christmas and the wonder of God’s visitation to Earth.

Special days are often set aside around the world to commemorate significant historical events and this was also true of God’s people. Following the miraculous phenomenon associated with their liberation from Egyptian bondage, God instructed the Israelites to commemorate the penultimate plague, Passover, with a unique celebration that was to be observed on an annual basis (Exodus 12). As God continued on other occasions to intervene in history to deliver His people, additional festive events were instituted and observed by generations that followed. The stated purpose of these special days was to recall the mighty deeds of God as an act of worship. But God’s ultimate intervention in the affairs of man went unnoticed by all except for a handful of shepherds and a few faithful individuals who longed for His appearing. Unexpectedly, and inexplicably, God voluntarily took on human flesh and dwelt among us. Jesus came to “save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21) and this arrival is the wondrous event we commemorate with every Christmas season. Immanuel. God is with us. Let us bow in worship.

Dolls Festival

“He [Jesus] sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.” Hebrews 7:27b

Girls Day2

Every year on March 3rd, countless girls across Japan celebrate Hina Matsuri (ひな祭り) which means literally “doll festival,” but is commonly referred to as “Girls’ Day.” The custom originated in the early 17th century, where usually a red, multi-tiered platform (hina dan) is set up and on it a collection of special dolls (hina ningyō) and related furniture are put on display prior to the hina matsuri. These ornamental dolls are typically clothed in the traditional court dress of the Heian Period (794-1185) and represent the emperor, empress, various court attendants and musicians. The dolls are not intended as items for play and many sets are actually quite expensive with a value of several thousand dollars for the more elaborate versions. Some hina matsuri collections are passed on from one generation to another as treasured heirlooms and are therefore handled with great care.

Hina matsuri is also associated with the initial blooming of peach blossoms in certain parts of Japan with the coming of spring and as such symbolically celebrates the health and happiness of girls within a family. According to custom, immediately following Girls’ Day, these special dolls are supposed to be put away immediately or parents risk inviting the bad luck of a late marriage for their daughter. The city of Konosu hosts the largest display of hina ningyō in Japan every year on a 23-foot (7 meter) pyramid with more than 1,800 exquisite dolls artfully arranged on 31 levels.

Another ceremony often connected with hina matsuri is nagashi bina, which is roughly translated as “doll floating.” Participants in this unusual rite make cheaper versions of the hina dolls from paper or straw and set them adrift on a river, regarding them as a sort of talisman that will remove their sins, impurities and any demonic influences.

The obvious intention of Girls’ Day is to provide families an annual opportunity to celebrate the lives of their girls while wishing for them to have health and happiness. But the older and deeper traditions associated with hina matsuri point to something far more important that is largely ignored in modern celebrations. What is conveniently overlooked is the universal problem of sin and our personal culpability before a Holy and Righteous God. While all parents understandably seek health and happiness for their children in this temporary world, there is nothing they can do to eradicate the eternal consequences of the sins and misdeeds of themselves and their children in the world to come. Recognizing this problem, previous generations of Japanese set dolls afloat on nearby rivers in a vain attempt to purge them and their loved ones of personal guilt. But such shallow efforts, no matter how well intended they may be, sunk ineffectively in deep waters along with the dolls as they drifted downstream. Another, more effective solution than floating dolls was needed and God Himself has provided the perfect substitute for our sins in the form of His Son. The author of Hebrews succinctly describes this amazing provision when he writes, “He [Jesus] sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.” (7:27b) This substitute is indeed an amazing treasure, not to be put on a shelf and casually admired, but to be fully embraced and celebrated daily.

Forget the Year Parties

“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13b-14

bonenkai3

When I was invited to attend my first bōnenkai as a new missionary, I was rather flattered to be included, but I was clueless as to what would actually transpire. Immediately after my arrival for the event, my two Japanese friends seemed quite determined to ply me with alcohol while they got steadily plastered themselves and consequently, became increasingly silly. These friends also persisted in asking me quite personal questions that were rather out of character for these normally dignified businessmen. Previously, I had naively thought that a bōnenkai was a simple end-of-year party with close friends, but I later learned that the Japanese characters for bōnenkai (忘年会) mean literally, “forget the year gathering.” In other words, it is essentially a Japanese drinking party for co-workers or friends where everyone is encouraged to let their hair down through the consumption of alcohol and, in the process, collectively forget the troubles of the past year. Even the normal lines that separate the boss from his business subordinates are temporarily erased during the festivities and whatever is said or done under the influence of alcohol is conveniently overlooked the following day.

Bōnenkai do not take place on any specific day, although they are usually held in December. They are not to be confused with New Year’s parties, which are referred to as “shinnenkai” (新年会 ) and are celebrated in the new year. Companies often sponsor bōnenkai for their employees, but circles of friends frequently organize their own forget-the-year gatherings. This tradition is said to have originated somewhere around the 16^th century when groups of samurai lords gathered locally to commemorate their achievements of the past year. Following the abolishment of the feudal ruling system in the late 19^th century and the rise of lifetime employment in the business world, companies began to incorporate and revise this old custom. What was previously an event exclusively reserved for the ruling caste eventually became a routinely scheduled gathering for all company employees in the yearly calendar. The following popular song, 今夜はHearty Party (“Tonight, Hearty Party”), by the famous pop singer Mariya Takeuchi, captures the ambiance or atmosphere of a typical Japanese bōnenkai. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWlgvzXI8eY

Forgetting the past is often a helpful approach as we pursue a godly lifestyle and mindset that will honor God. The Apostle Paul alludes to the importance of sometimes “forgetting what is behind” (Philippians 3:13) because an unhealthy preoccupation with our failures in the past can impede God’s redemptive work in the present. Recognition of personal sin is certainly a healthy starting point, but a myopic focus on such matters can unintentionally blind us to the amazing truth of grace. This infatuation on past failures could in turn paralyze us with guilt, rather than motivating us to move forward in life as objects of God’s love. Everyone has committed acts of which they are ashamed, but through the power of the cross, we are released from the burdens of our past and set free to fulfill our eternal calling in Christ Jesus. Like a bōnenkai, we are exhorted to forget the troubles from our past, but as redeemed individuals, we must not neglect to celebrate in faith new and better things to come, while remembering where we came from. Our new life in Jesus compels us to forget, but at the same time, remember.

KFC & Christmas Traditions

“For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.” Luke 12:23

KFC Xmas

The presence of a life-sized plastic statue of Colonel Sanders dressed in a Santa suit in front of a Kentucky Fried Chicken store marked our initial realization that Christmas was celebrated differently in Japan. While we associate Christmas with many traditions in the West, dining on KFC chicken is not one them. However, in Japan, eating Kentucky Fried chicken is widely considered to be the meal of choice for Christmas. This unusual tradition began in 1974 when KFC promoted fried chicken as a Christmas meal calling it “Kentucky Christmas” (ケンタッキークリスマス) as part of a clever advertising campaign. Since Japan had few established Christmas traditions at the time, and turkey was generally unavailable, the idea quickly caught on and became part of the Japanese psyche of how Christmas should be properly celebrated. This custom became so popular that approximately 3.6 million Japanese families now order their Kentucky Christmas weeks in advance and then endure long lines to pick up their holiday meal. Perhaps this link to a KFC commercial with a popular Japanese Christmas song will make you want to rush out and order your own Kentucky Christmas! https://youtu.be/umHfb1JHovA

Christmas Day is not designated as a national holiday in Japan, which alters some of the rhythms we normally associate with Christmas. For example, the Kentucky Christmas, or some other substitute, is generally eaten on Christmas Eve after all the members of the family have returned from work or school. The meal is almost always followed by what is called a “Christmas cake,” which is traditionally a sponge cake decorated with strawberries and whipped cream. Some say this custom began when strawberries were difficult to purchase at that time of year, so they represented economic prosperity and the red color was associated with Christmas. In recent years, Pizza Hut has tried to start its own Christmas campaign and was successful to such an extent that pizza is now considered acceptable Christmas cuisine. With the passage of time and through increasing influence from the West, the concept of Christmas has become wildly popular in Japan, as evidenced by the presence of Christmas decorations and music in most stores, special Christmas light displays, and an exchange of presents. In addition, many families now purchase and decorate their own Christmas tree.

Lost in this commercialized holiday shuffle is a genuine understanding of the true meaning of Christmas. Thanks to Japanese merchants eager to capitalize on the event and misconceptions imported from abroad, Christmas in Japan has largely become a shallow celebration rooted in self-indulgence earmarked by food, fun music, appealing decorations and shopping. While these things may be enjoyed and none of them are essentially bad, an overemphasis on the trappings of Christmas can easily lead one to lose a balanced perspective that “life is more than food” (Luke 12:23). In reality, we have far greater needs that can ever be filled through commercial promises of food, festivities and even family. Christmas represents something much deeper that only God could provide. Rather than a Kentucky Christmas, God’s campaign to redeem mankind began with a Bethlehem Christmas, which is a story worth retelling and certainly celebrating. This is “food” that will satisfy for eternity.

Swimming Upstream

“Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:4

The koinobori fluttered in the spring breeze on the flag pole as a visible reminder that Kodomo no Hi (子供の日), or Children’s Day, was coming soon. Every May 5^th, Japanese celebrate this national holiday by attaching bright, colorful streamers in the shape of carp called “koi” to express their well wishes for children. “Nobori” means “climbing” or “ascending”, so juxtaposed the words “koi” and “nobori” are translated to “carp streamers”. The Japanese greatly admire koi since they are a spirited fish that fight their way upstream, demonstrating courage and determination to attain a difficult goal. This imagery is captured by the flapping carp-shaped streamers on flag poles throughout Japan.

Originally, the number of koi flown was determined by the number of males within a household. The father was typically represented by the largest, black colored carp at the top. But in modern times, all the members of the family are now included on the pole, with a pink or red flag standing for the mother.

The koinobori expresses hope that the children of that household will grow up healthy and strong like carp swimming upstream. Larger versions of koinobori are raised in school grounds or near community centers and the timing often coincides with the blooming of nearby cherry trees, adding to the festive atmosphere. Everyone desires their children to be strong and healthy, like vigorous carp swimming upstream, but such qualities are often obtained through the challenges of adversity. It is certainly much easier to swim downstream and float with the current, but this does not produce the needed life attributes of perseverance, self-control, endurance and determination.

Many well-intentioned parents, in their zeal to protect their children to the exclusion of everything else, unwittingly obstruct such needed development and stunt their children’s growth. Swimming upstream may seem counter intuitive to our natural inclination to take the easy route, but it serves to produce strong and healthy children who are better prepared to face the inevitable challenges of life.

God desires the same for His children and as a result, wisely introduces trials, obstacles and hardships into our lives to make us strong. The goal is to help us mature and reach the full potential of all that He has created us to be and do. The Apostle James (James 1:2-4) reminds us that perseverance is a means to a very worthwhile end but many times it is hard to appreciate such long term benefits as we struggle against the current. It is therefore good to recall that we do not swim alone in such efforts and that we are not without aid as we press forward in the circumstances of life. These are truths we must pass on to the next generation as they wrestle with their own challenges and move towards the worthy goal of maturity in Christ.

Scattered Petals

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” Ecclesiastes 3:11

cherry blossoms 6

The normally clear, flowing stream below me was covered with a carpet of freshly fallen cherry blossoms slowly making their way downstream. While maintaining my perch on an ancient footbridge, I raised my gaze to an equally mesmerizing random cascade of petals falling from the trees lining the water’s edge. The incredibly beautiful blossoms from only a week ago were now quickly scattering like snowflakes in the wind, affirming once again the brevity and fragility of all things. Thoughts on life, death and renewal seemed to disperse to the edges of my mind like the scattered petals all around me.

The cherry blossom is the unofficial national flower of Japan; it permeates art, poetry and the national consciousness of the Japanese people on various levels. Called “sakura” (桜) in Japanese, this delicate flower explodes upon the landscape every spring throughout Japan. Its greatly anticipated arrival is celebrated as the cherry blossoms begin to bloom in the southernmost parts of Japan in mid-March and usually complete their annual cycle around early May in the northern prefecture of Hokkaido. The advent of the sakura is a major news event and thousands flock across Japan to nearby parks to picnic (called “hanami”) under these gorgeous trees. There they revel in the temporal beauty of cherry blossoms representing the renewed glories of spring.

The author of Ecclesiastes likewise marveled at the beauty of creation and in so doing his thoughts were drawn beyond himself to the Creator of all things. It is typically not easy to move from the shallow things of life to deeper, eternal thoughts, as so much seems to get in the way. Therefore, to assist us in this all important journey, God has endowed the world around us with visible reminders of His presence and benevolent care. Such displays are worth celebrating and reflecting upon as they have the power to draw us away from the mundane, or routines of this life, to the greater things of God. As God has placed eternity in our hearts, the beauty of this created world beckons us to slow down and meditate on His existence.

Obligatory Chocolate

“I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish.” Romans 1:14

Valentines3

A beautiful arrangement of various chocolates greeted me as I walked into the store, reminding me that Valentine’s Day was right around the corner. If you thought romance was in the air, you would be entirely mistaken. What was on display is actually known as “giri choco” (義理チョコ), which means literally “obligation chocolate.” This chocolate is normally purchased by women and given to their male colleagues, casual acquaintances and others as an expression of their friendship or gratitude. Romantic feelings have nothing to do with it. Giri choco is customarily given by women to the men in their life circles to help them feel appreciated during the nation-wide celebration. But there is another sub-category called “cho-giri choco” meaning “ultra-obligation chocolate.” This is given to certain men solely out of duty because you feel trapped by social circumstances to include them.

It is important to note that giri choco is not to be confused with “honmei choco” (本命チョコ), which is “true feeling chocolate” and is normally given to husbands, boyfriends or even prospective boyfriends. Honmei choco is traditionally a higher grade of chocolate that often comes in special shapes, arranged artistically in ornate confectionary boxes and is considerably more expensive.

The subtle differences between these two types of chocolates helps the recipient to avoid getting his signals crossed and misinterpreting the giver’s intent. While men are the primary recipients of chocolate in Japan on Valentine’s Day, they are certainly not off the hook. In order to sell more chocolate, the National Confectionary Association cleverly designated March 14 as “White Day,” when men must reciprocate by giving chocolate (often white chocolate), cookies, flowers or other small gifts to the women who gave them chocolate exactly one month earlier. Obligation flows in both directions; no one escapes.

“Giri” is a very important value among the Japanese, although it can at times feel oppressive and has even been described as the “burden hardest to bear.” Obligation is certainly a lower form of motivation, but there are good and bad aspects to it that should not be confused. An example of obligation as a good thing can be found in the Bible, when the Apostle Paul gladly accepted the obligation to preach the gospel to others, not viewing it as a burden, but rather as an incredible privilege (Romans 1:15-17). But sometimes even the noblest forms of obligation can subtly morph into patterns of legalism and undermine the very freedoms Jesus purchased on the cross at great cost to Himself. The fine line separating freedom and obligation can at times be hard to discern, but God has provided His Spirit to help us distinguish these matters so that we might offer up our best to Him. After all, Jesus did not enter our world to redeem us because of obligation, but rather, out of love. That is a gift worth celebrating and imitating.