Japanese family traditions

  Today I’d like to tell you about some of the Japanese family traditions.

  Like people of any other society, Japanese also follow a specific code of etiquettes, which rules the social behavior of the people. Some of them are understandable by Western people, others can look strange, perhaps. But In Japan , it is obligatory for every individual to obey the customs and traditions and to follow them without question. Some of the traditions are being followed for ages, some have been modified in modern times. Still, no matter what, even visitors are expected to learn these customs and follow them, while  they are in the ‘Land of Rising Sun.

  I will start with telling you with the description of the tradition which can look strange to most of you. It is bathing traditions.

  Bathing can be simply a matter of washing dirt off the body; on the other hand, it can also have spiritual components. One Japanese term is misogi, which means ritual purification with water. The process is important both in Shintoism and Buddhism. Thus, the bath is good for both the physical well-being and the psychological/spiritual well-being of the person.

  In the western country, people who take a bath run water into the tub, climb in and wash, then finish and drain the water from the bathtub. So, the person ends up washing themselves in dirty water. A shower, of course, overcomes this limitation but does not allow the soaking of the body that can prove relaxing.

  In Japan, the procedure is very different. When you enter the bathing place you do not immediately enter the bathtub/pool. You sit on a stool and cover yourself with hot water. You clean yourself thoroughly, shampoo your hair if you wish, and rinse it off. Only after you are clean, you enter the tub/pool to relax. This allows a number of people to use the same tub since the water in the tub does not get dirty  quickly.

  In homes with small tubs, each family member bathes one by one, in order of seniority, traditionally starting with the oldest male or the oldest person in the household (grandmother may bathe before the father of the house). If there are guests in the home, they will be given priority. In homes with larger tubs, it is common for family members to bathe together. Typically one or both parents will bathe with babies and toddlers. And even as children grow older, they may still bathe with one of their parents.

  Another very major difference between the Japanese society and Western society was the openness to mixed bathing. Although some bathhouses were divided specifically into male and female sections, many others allowed mixed bathing of both sexes. Mixed bathing was written about as early the 7th century. Again, during the Edo Period the government tried to stop the mixed bathing, with some success at least in Edo. In 1869 the government of the Meiji Period prohibited mixed bathing. 

  Now, I am going to turn to some meals- taking traditions.

  Meals in Japan traditionally begin with the phrase itadakimasu (いただきます) (literally, "I humbly receive"). The phrase is similar to "bon appétit", or saying grace to give thanks before a meal. It is said to express gratitude for all who played a role in preparing, cultivating, ranching or hunting the food. Upon finishing a meal, the Japanese also use the polite phrase Gochisosama-deshita (ごちそうさまでした Gochisōsama-deshita) (lit. You were a Feast (preparer)). So this phrase basically gives respect for making the meal.

  Bento (弁当 bentō) is a single-portion takeout or home-packed meal common in Japanese cuisine. A traditional bento consists of rice, fish or meat, and one or more pickled or cooked vegetables, usually in a box-shaped container.

  Bento can be very elaborately arranged in a style called kyaraben or "character bento". Kyaraben is typically decorated to look like popular Japanese cartoon (anime) characters, characters from comic books (manga), or video game characters.

  Another popular bento style is "oekakiben" or "picture bento", which is decorated to look like people, animals, buildings and monuments, or items such as flowers and plants. Contests are often held where bento arrangers compete for the most aesthetically pleasing arrangements.

  Let me move on to the last point of my messaga which I trust can interest you. I mean receiving guests in a Japanese home.

  Visiting the house of a Japanese person, unless they're very close to you, can be quite frightening or nervous. Like most things in Japan, there are a lot of  rules and interpretations of body language, but the good thing is that they at least make sense.

  The hosts generally offer slippers to wear inside the house, but ensuring they are clean is the guest's responsibility. A hat or coat is to be removed before the door to the house is opened. It should be put back on only after the guest has left the house, and the door to the house has been closed. 

  The guest is given the best of everything, as receiving a guest is a big  honor for its hosts.. It is normal to receive a gift from the host. The guest may politely refuse to take the gift the first time, but should accept it I the host insists, the second time.

  To the Japanese, gift giving is a way of communicating respect, friendship, and appreciation. When meeting with a Japanese colleague or visitor for the first time, always be prepared for the gift -giving ritual that has been deeply rooted in the Japanese culture for centuries.

  Gift-giving is an accepted practice experienced everyday, from taking a little something to a neighbor to receiving an extra radish from the greengrocer. If you give someone a gift, you can be sure to receive one in return. And, if you want a gift, you must give one first.

  For the Japanese, gift-giving at its finest is a sign of appreciation, and at its worst, a competition. When you return a gift, yours must be better and more expensive. In turn, the gift you will receive, will be better and more expensive than the one you gave. The value of the gifts increase in rapid succession.

  I’d like to conclude that these are just a few tips for a few occasions. There are a lot more family customs in Japan which are worth learning about.