Ochugen and Oseibo

Whenever someone does something nice for you, you can’t help but want to repay them. Usually this is done with some kind of gift, or maybe just a thank you card. At least in America these are normal ways of saying thanks. Japan, however, has special seasons for such an occasion.

In America, we do have Boss’s Day (October 16^th), though it isn’t too widely celebrated. Our average calendar doesn’t even bother to mention it. In Japan, there is a gift giving season known as Ochugen almost specifically for bosses. Anyone of a higher social status than you is given a gift during Ochugen in July. The most interesting thing about Ochugen, however, is probably the choice in gifts; rather than the useless, if sentimental, gifts Americans typically bestow upon one another, the Japanese give the recipient useful things such as detergent or cooking oil.

The gifts are usually more expensive too; in Japan they’ll spend anywhere between 3000 to 5000 yen (about 30-50 dollars) on gifts. Also, they are usually purchased at a department store and then delivered to the recipient.

Oseibo, the gift giving season in December, is similar, but usually the items are more traditional to the area. If Maine celebrated the holiday, people would probably send their relatives and friends apples.

Which isn’t that different from America in a sense, but most Americans would send a fruit basket, or a cheese and crackers set. Sometimes fancy treats like Lindt chocolates are given as well. It would be uncommon, though, for someone in Idaho to give their friend potatoes though; seasonal food might be considered a nice present, like a pumpkin pie, or caramel apples.

I’m not sure I like the idea of the two gift giving seasons, but I enjoy their tastes in gifts. I like sentimental gifts, sure, but there are only so many candles one person can have, and the same goes for the cute little statuettes to put on your bureau. Now, detergent on the other hand could actually be useful. It saves you some money and doesn’t join the clutter of your shelves.