バレンタインデーとワイトデー

On February 14, the women of Japan celebrate Barentain dee.  Based on the Western Valentine’s Day, barentain dee has the uniquely Japanese tradition of only women giving gifts to men (at least in the heterosexual context; I don’t know if and how Japanese homosexuals participate). 

The most popularized gift to give is handmade chocolate, and it’s kind of a big deal.  There’s the honmeichoko, which you give to the person you like.  There’s the girichoko, translated as “obligation chocolate,” which is like the Valentine’s Day cards you had to give to everyone in your elementary school class.  Girichoko is typically given out to classmates and co-workers, and it is a very popular joke theme for barentain dee episodes of dramas, especially those set in the office.  And recently, there have been two new types of choco: the tomo(dachi)choko or “friend chocolate” and, my personal favorite, the ji(bun)choko or “chocolate for oneself.”  I guess every day is barentain dee for me.

On and around barentain dee, I got to try out all types of choco.  First was a test-piece of honmeichoko, which my friend made for her boyfriend. 

Next was the girichoko that my sensei (teacher) handed out to the class.  Pudding flavor, wootwoot.

Then I spend balentain dee at my host parents’ son’s house, and I got to try the grandchildrens’ tomochoko.  The granddaughter unexpectedly received a lot of tomochoko, so she stressfully spent the afternoon making tomochoko to give in return to everyone the next day.  The grandson received some fancy crocodile-themed “tomochoko” (I think the girl who gave it to him might have been crushin’ on him a little). 

I thought that was to be the extent of my barentain dee experience until I got a surprise tomo-candy that my friend Kimmie* brought with her from America.

And now it’s White Day, part of the Japanese twist on Valentine’s.  On March 14, a month after barentain dee, the men must return the favor to the women who gave them chocolates.  As far as I understand, on White Day, men can’t just give women chocolates or something and be done with it:  They must make an extravagant date of it, complete with romantic meals, lots of sweet pastries, and probably a 6-foot-tall stuffed animal of some sort. 

One of my friends has planned a day out to the onsen (hot springs) with his girlfriend.  Now what will I plan for my Kimmie?? . . .

*Name changed at the person’s request in order to protect her identity