kiriyass-blog

[kiriyass-blog]

Attention Tumblr Roleplay Communities!

Please stop attacking soudelicious for their badly worded post calling out roleplayers who are selective.

Regardless of their still feeling that way or being genuinely sorry and understanding of their mistake–that doesn’t matter.

What matters is that they are being attacked directly via hatemail and are in a position where they feel attacked and are thinking of deleting their account.

  I remember writing in this my reply post to their callout:

“There are actual people behind these accounts, with actual feelings–y’know, just like me & you.”

This person has feelings just like you and I do–please remember that.

Their callout post is clearly full of bitterness and anger. They didn’t want to feel left out. They didn’t want to feel excluded. They just went about it the wrong way. It was a MISTAKE.

All it would have taken was one carefully worded, POLITE reply message without attacking OP directly and they would have gotten the message.

This ‘vigilante justice’ approach of going in a collective angry mob to a person’s inbox and leaving so much hate that they feel x10 worse than they ever made any of you feel DOES NOT HELP.

   Another key point I brought up in my reply to them was:

“Despite what you think you know, you will never fully understand how a person feels until you see it from their perspective.”

This applies to EVERYONE. Not just the person that you’re so viciously attacking but YOU as well. We are all responsible.

         On another topic: does anyone know how old soudelicious is?

From my ten second skim of their account, they seem to have a full day of school–this means that they are a middle and/or high school student and most likely to be a minor.

You made angry, emotion-fueled mistakes when you were a younger, didn’t you?

You didn’t always think before you spoke and said something you regretted, didn’t you?

You learned over time and things don’t always go your way and rather than get angry about it you can make the best of your situation, didn’t you?

I’m 19 and you better believe I still make my share of mistakes.

Heck, some of you may be their age and are sending them hate as if you’re in any way superior. The fact that you’re sending hate to anyone for any reason proves that YOU’RE NOT.

Making mistakes is a part of growing as individuals.

We are all equal here. We are kids, teenagers and young adults who come onto this website to write as our favorite fictional characters and HAVE FUN. Not cause more stress for ourselves or others.

There’s no ‘hierarchy’ here, and everyone here learns that eventually.

So, in conclusion;

Let people learn from their mistakes. Support and uplift them. If you don’t agree with someone, don’t tear them down.

A single mistake DOES NOT make someone a bad person. Don’t treat them as such.

Respect others by not attacking them. If you don’t like someone, ignore them. Block them. Anything but sending hate.

Everyone deserves kindness, respect and understanding.  

You are better than that!

[kiriyass-blog]

No, I actually think someone needs to bring you off your high horse. 

Because you seem to think you’re entitled to something NO ONE in ANY roleplay community is entitled to--and that is the ability to force people to be your writing partners. Here is an actual “reality check:” Life isn’t fair. 

You don’t always get what you want, certainly not if you’re going to act like anyone (let alone COMPLETE STRANGERS) owe you anything. 

What you’re doing here is guilt tripping, and I REFUSE to EVER write or interact with someone who makes me feel like I’m obligated to bend to their will, and that I’m a horrible person if I don’t. 

If I don’t want to “give someone a chance,” then sorry. I have my own reasons.

I come here for one reason and one reason only: MY enjoyment. 

I can’t enjoy something if I’m not comfortable with it. I can’t enjoy something if someone is telling me how horrible I am for not writing with them, despite my own feelings--I might have had a bad day. I might be suffering a depressive episode. I might just be too preoccupied. 

Despite what you think you know, you will never fully understand who a person feels until you see it from their perspective.

There are actual people behind these accounts, with actual feelings--y’know, just like me & you. 

Some of us have social anxiety, and only feel comfortable with talking to certain people. 

Some of us have severe mood disorders, that leave us drained and unmotivated to expand our “little circle,” because it just means another writing partner we don’t have the energy for.

Some of us have stressful schedules like high school, college, or jobs.

Yet all of us choose to devote our time and energy into these accounts, because it brings us some sort of comfort--and each person’s comfort level is personal; 

Some of us are selective.

Some of us are not.

Some of us only write in one-liners.

Some of us do not.

All of us have the freedom to pick and choose who we want to interact with, because this is a hobby, not a job. No one is required to do anything. 

I’m sorry that one “quality” roleplayer you’ve be eyeing turned you down.

I’m sorry that one person you might have admired wasn’t interested in either the character you’re playing or your writing style/format.

I’m sorry that you came in contact with a snobby, overly-vain roleplayer and then decided to generalize any roleplayer who is even moderately selective as villainous people who take joy in making people feel “left out.”

I’m sorry, but that’s not our problem. 

Our problem is maintaining our own comfort & mental health doing something we love with people with love despite people feeling entitled to our own time and energy, that is just as valuable as yours.

You wouldn’t want someone to force you to do something, so don’t force others. 

Everyone deserves respect, kindness and understanding--so respect and understand a person’s decision to not want to associate with you and move on. 

HEY, NEWSFLASH, TUMBLR RP COMMUNITY: YOUR CLIQUE OF RPERS IS HURTING EVERYONE ELSE WHO AREN’T AS LUCKY AS YOU.

OPEN YOUR FUCKING EARS AND LISTEN TO THIS SHIT.

NEWCOMERS SUFFER BECAUSE OF YOU, JUST BECAUSE YOU IGNORE EVERYONE NEW WHO TRIES TO INTERACT.

THAT’S RIGHT, A REALITY CHECK FROM YOUR FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SHARKMUN! 

SO OPEN YOUR CLOSED MINDS AND HEARTS TO NEW PEOPLE, IT WON’T FUCKING KILL YOU. 

Everyone deserves a chance to roleplay, so why not be kind and actually a decent human being? Why, is it too hard to make new friends? So you shun and ignore everyone else who isn’t in your inner circles? Is that it? This happens in every rp community I’m in, and frankly I’m sick of it. Good friends of mine and I are turned away and ignored by people like you guys.

For those who are the victims, listen up: IT’S OKAY TO BE ANGRY ABOUT BEING NEGLECTED. People deserve so much better here. Not just the higher ups.

 I’d so do a purge on the “upper level” tumblr rpers if I could. Bring them down off the high horse and down a couple notches. 

EARTH TO TUMBLR: There are other people here!

[kiriyass-blog]

Valentine’s Day

In Japan Valentine’s Day is unique from the West’s celebration. Women to give chocolate to the men. The men will return this during White Day, (March 14th) so it’s as if the holiday is in two parts.

Valentine’s was introduced in the 1930′s to market to foreigners (this is similar to how Halloween and Christmas were brought to Japan.) It didn’t become popular with native Japanese until the 1950′s when more companies began to do this. Because of traditional modesty, many women (and men) were discouraged from outright displaying their feelings, and Valentine’s was used as a day to encourage this behavior and let women make the first move–by buying chocolate.

Valentine’s is one of Japan’s most romantic days, second to probably Christmas. Christmas is the time where couples in relationships are spoiled with expensive gifts, while Valentine’s is when couples and to-be couples show their appreciation.

Type of Chocolate

The traditional way that gift giving has worked is is:

Valentine’s Day: women —-> men

White Day: women <—- men

In modern days this is not always the case. Some men give to women, though women are still the majority of the givers. Either way, the chocolate companies don’t mind! In late January and February, department stores are full chocolate displays to encourage people to buy more and more, but it can quickly get expensive.

Chocolates are sorted into types depending on who you want to give it to and why. This helps avoid mixed messages that might result in crushed confidence for the men. 

Giri choco (obligation chocolate) is for relationships where it is considered polite to give out as a way to say thank you. Obligation chocolates are given to teachers, coworkers, or bosses.

There is also cho giri choco (super obligation chocolate.) This type of chocolate is like… you don’t want to give chocolate to this person but you do anyway, because it would be rude not to.

Tomo choco (friendship chocolate) is chocolate exchanged within groups of friends. These are small treats, like giri choco, but because it’s not out of obligation, girls are happy to give them out. Some girls give them to all their friends, male or female, while others just give them to their female friends.

Gyaku Choco (opposite chocolate) is when the men either exchange chocolate in return or make the first move on Valentine’s. Since it was introduced, Valentine’s was meant for women to confess their love to men, without much thought to the men until White Day was thought up. But some Japanese men have become impatient with this. Gyaku choco can either be giri and honmei choco. 

Honmei choco (true chocolate) are the chocolates given when a woman wants to confess her love for a special person. These are the chocolates where women spend the most money on, to try and make the gift as impressive as possible.

Chocolate Making

Many people believe that handmade chocolate has a more romantic message because of the effort that was put in to making the chocolate instead of buying, and because of this stores also carry kits. Hand-making chocolate can also be cheaper. Which type of chocolate a person would prefer depends on them, and the relationship those two people have.

Video Links

Japanagos (ジャパナゴス) - Valentine’s Day in Japan - Why the girls do the giving☆

[kiriyass-blog]

Setsubun

Setsubun is a holiday celebrated on February 3rd which marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring. Before Western influence came to Japan, the day was observed like a New Year’s celebration, and used as a day to cleanse the year’s past evil in hope to welcome fortune in the new year.

Before 1873 Japan did not celebrate New Year’s on January 1st. Because of Chinese influence Japan had adapted to the Lunar calendar (the New Year date never stays the same, because of solstice; New Year is observed anywhere from January 21st to Feburary 21st.)

Setsubun means “Divide of Season,” and the eve of the first season is seen as very important. February 3rd is the last day of winter (the eve of spring.) Spring is the first season of the year. It is during this time that the Japanese place importance on driving out evil and making way for fortune. Many Japanese do not even consider it a new year until after Setsubun.

‘Eat it Whole’ Sushi Roll

Foods play an important role in many Japanese holidays. Different foods are thought to bring different omens onto the person who eats it. On Setsubun, it is considered good luck to eat a marukaburi zushi which is a sushi roll that is not cut into bite-size. A traditional roll is filled with seven ingredients which mean different things, but in modern times many stores are beginning to carry foods in the shape of the sushi rolls as well.

Cutting the roll in half in this case is bad luck, and talking while eating it is also bad luck. As you bite into it, you make a wish–but don’t speak out loud until you are finished eating it

It is called a lucky direction roll (eho-maki.) This means that while eating the sushi it is a good omen to face in the lucky direction of the year (this is determined by the Lunar calendar.)

Roasted Soybeans

Beans are a good fortune food and are used in foods that are eaten for celebration and good luck. On Setsubun soybeans are used in this way. They must be roasted, otherwise they are not effective. It is good luck to eat your age in soybeans, plus one extra. The extra soybean is a wish to remain healthy in the coming year. (ex. 19 years = 20 soybeans.)

The soybeans are a part of a tradition called bean-throwing (mamemaki.) To expel misfortune, the beans are scattered around the family home. When the beans are thrown people will chant, “oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi.” This means “devils out, fortune in.” They are good luck words.

Another part of mamemaki is to play along in a game. One person dresses in a demon masks or costume while others throw the soybeans while saying the good luck words. It is fun to do in families with young children, or with friends.

Ogres

Ogres/Demons are symbols of misfortune and evil. They are represent of the winter season because it is cold and unforgiving. Winter is darkness and spring is light. Because of this, the season change from winter to spring is the time where the world of the demons and the human world are closest together. The demons storm the human world to spread misfortune and the humans must ward them off. This is where the bean-throwing rituals come from.

Many shrines and temples also hold individual festivals and perform reenactments and ceremonies to symbolize driving evil away. Like Oshogatsu, it is a time to pray for good luck and prosperity.

Video Links

Orangetummy - [日本語] Ward off evil spirits this Spring!! Setsubun 節分の儀式をしてみた���

Japanagos (ジャパナゴス) - Ogres, soybeans, & sushi rolls! Spring time rituals in Japan! 日本の節分文化☆

Discover Kyoto - Kyoto Festival: Setsubun at Kitano Tenman-gū 

[kiriyass-blog]

New Year’s in Japan

Because I barely mentioned it in my Christmas post, I should follow up on New Year’s.

Research is your friend. I want to make sure people understand things are celebrated differently in Japan than in your country and, since you’re writing Japanese characters, you should want to portray that and not ignore it in favor of westernizing their traditions.

Ōmisoka (New Year’s Eve) and Oshōgatsu (New Year’s Day) are considered to be the two most important days of the year, serving as both the end of an old year and the beginning of a new one. Businesses are closed and people take off work for the first few days of the year to continue with the festivities.

Immediately after Christmas, people begin to prepare for the coming New Year (if they hadn’t begun already) and a lot of effort is put towards that.

Bonenkai (Forget-the-Year Parties) & Shinnenkai (New Year Parties)

Through December, companies and groups of friends gather together in what is called bonenkai. These are end-of-the-year parties with a lot of drinking, as a way to send off the year. When held by a company, and traditionally held in a bar (izakaya), it’s an occasion for employees to not worry about being formal in front of their superiors, and a time to build relationships.

During January, shinnenkai are held in a similar way in order to welcome the new year with friends and co-workers. Neither of these are a part of the traditional 3-day period (January 1-3) of celebration, but they have a long-standing history–starting as far back as the 15th century.

Decorations & Food

Residences decorate their gates with kadomatsu and shimekazari, and decorate their homes with traditional flowers and kagami mochi, a display made as an offering to the deities.  

Special foods are also prepared to be enjoyed on the Eve or the Day. The typical “menu” is the following things:

  Toshikoshi Soba (”year-crossing noodles;” meant to be eaten before 12:00A.M. to leave your past problems behind in the previous year before starting fresh.)

  Nabe (”hot pot;” a very popular winter dish with many variations.)

  Mochi (”rice cake;” it is used in making both kagami mochi and zoni. Families will usually make their own together (mochitsuki) (examples: here, here & here.)

  Zoni  (a soup meant to be eaten on the first breakfast of the year. The main ingredient is mochi.) 

  Osechi Ryori (a large breakfast composed of small portions of many different foods, such as vegetables, fish, meat, & fish cakes. Each food has a specific meaning, such as longevity, wealth and prosperity, wishes for children, a good harvest, & celebration.)

Postcards

Sending specialized postcards called nengajo is also a widespread custom with a long history. People send them out to their friends and family and the post office works extremely hard to make sure all of them are delivered on January 1st. With modern advancements and all, people are also able to send digital versions of nengajo through various social links like Line. Physical cards still remain the most popular, though, and go on sale well before January.

In addition to being well wishes, collecting them can be rewarding. Each come with a series of numbers, which represent numbers in a lottery. Some time after New Year’s, the numbers are announced and people bring their winning nengajo to the Post Office to claim prizes. It’s usually not anything too spectacular, but it’s nice to win something.

Special Programs (Kouhaku, Johnny’s Countdown & Gaki no Tsukai)

Kohaku Uta Gassen

Usually shortened to Kohaku; it’s a program aired on NHK which showcases all of the most popular musical artists of the year in a giant concert. All of the female artists/groups are sorted into the Red team (akagumi) and the male artists/groups are sorted into the White team (shirogumi.) It was first broadcasted in 1951 and has grown bigger and more popular with each year. 2015′s program will be it’s 66th consecutive run.

Johnny’s Countdown

Another music program similar to Kohaku, aired on Fuji TV. Instead of ending before midnight like the former, it runs until about two in the morning. It begins just as Kohaku ends.

Downtown no Gaki no Tsukai ya Arahende!

Shortened to Gaki no Tsukai; it’s a long-running comedy show that always airs during the New Year’s time. In the “Batsu Game.“ the overall goal is “endurance,” and each time a person laughs, they are subjected to punishments.

New Year’s television is full of funny, creative, and really entertaining programs. Prank shows, music shows, comedy shows–it adds a whole level of entertainment to the holiday.

Joya no Kane

On the evening of the December 31st, temples and shrines strike a large brass bell 108 times before midnight (joya no kane.) It’s believed by Buddhists that the human soul has 108 mortal desires and, by doing this, it rids the people of their demons. Many people head out to see this being performed, and await the new year together, but families can also stay home and spend time together watching the various programs on television.

Hatsumode

On the morning of January 1st, families have their breakfast of zoni and osechi and then participate in hatsumode (the first shrine visit of the year.) The first shrine visit is an important one, so it becomes very crowded. At the shrines, people pray and offer thanks to the deities in hopes for a prosperous new year, and leave ema, which are wishes written down on a cut wooden plank and hung along a wall in hopes of having a wish granted. People can also come and purchase mikuji (fortunes) which are distributed by those overseeing the shrine (examples: mikuji & ema.) I’ve also seen mikuji dispensable from vending machine type things–and some shrines even offer them in different languages. If someone gets a bad fortune, people can leave it with the shine in hopes of them cleansing it.

Otoshidama

The biggest tradition (for children, anyway) is otoshidama. Money is gifted in decorative envelopes from all of their closest relatives. This is similar to the Chinese tradition of giving gifts of money to children in red envelopes. Parents, aunts and uncles, and grandparents as well. Depending on the age, a kid can expect anything from 10-100$USD from each person.

Video + Article Links

Orangetummy - How the Japanese celebrate New Years 日本のお正月

TabiEats - Japanese New Year and How We Celebrate（日本のお正月)

Rachel & Jun - How Japanese celebrate New Year! 日本のお正月 (2015年)

randomyoko - ✰初詣等✰ NEW YEAR IN JAPAN 2013(2673) EDITION

x.             x.              x.            x.            x.              x.             x.            x.       

[kiriyass-blog]

Hey, real quick. 

I just started up a new blog, based on what I’ve been seeing lately. I plan on filling it with resources on Japanese holidays, customs, pop culture, etc. 

For people who want to apply more accurate information to their Japanese muses, or people who just want to learn more about Japan. 

[kiriyass-blog]

New Year’s in Japan: A Resource Tool (+video & article links.)

Because I barely mentioned it in my Christmas post, I should follow up on New Year’s.

Research is your friend. I want to make sure people understand things are celebrated differently in Japan than in your country and, since you’re writing Japanese characters, you should want to portray that and not ignore it in favor of westernizing their traditions.

Ōmisoka (New Year’s Eve) and Oshōgatsu (New Year’s Day) are considered to be the two most important days of the year, serving as both the end of an old year and the beginning of a new one. Businesses are closed and people take off work for the first few days of the year to continue with the festivities.

Immediately after Christmas, people begin to prepare for the coming New Year (if they hadn’t begun already) and a lot of effort is put towards that.

Bonenkai (Forget-the-Year Parties) & Shinnenkai (New Year Parties)

Through December, companies and groups of friends gather together in what is called bonenkai. These are end-of-the-year parties with a lot of drinking, as a way to send off the year. When held by a company, and traditionally held in a bar (izakaya), it’s an occasion for employees to not worry about being formal in front of their superiors, and a time to build relationships.

During January, shinnenkai are held in a similar way in order to welcome the new year with friends and co-workers. Neither the bonenkai

Decorations & Food

Residences decorate their gates with kadomatsu and shimekazari, and decorate their homes with traditional flowers and kagami mochi, a display made as an offering to the deities.  

Special foods are also prepared to be enjoyed on the Eve or the Day. The typical “menu” is the following things:

  Toshikoshi Soba (”year-crossing noodles;” meant to be eaten before 12:00A.M. to leave your past problems behind in the previous year before starting fresh.)

  Nabe (”hot pot;” a very popular winter dish with many variations.)

  Mochi (”rice cake;” it is used in making both kagami mochi and zoni. Families will usually make their own together (mochitsuki) (examples: here, here & here.)

  Zoni  (a soup meant to be eaten on the first breakfast of the year. The main ingredient is mochi.) 

  Osechi Ryori (a large breakfast composed of small portions of many different foods, such as vegetables, fish, meat, & fish cakes. Each food has a specific meaning, such as longevity, wealth and prosperity, wishes for children, a good harvest, & celebration.)

Postcards

Sending specialized postcards called nengajo is also a widespread custom with a long history. People send them out to their friends and family and the post office works extremely hard to make sure all of them are delivered on January 1st. With modern advancements and all, people are also able to send digital versions of nengajo through various social links like Line. Physical cards still remain the most popular, though, and go on sale well before January.

In addition to being well wishes, collecting them can be rewarding. Each come with a series of numbers, which represent numbers in a lottery. Some time after New Year’s, the numbers are announced and people bring their winning nengajo to the Post Office to claim prizes. It’s usually not anything too spectacular, but it’s nice to win something.

Special Programs (Kouhaku, Johnny’s Countdown & Gaki no Tsukai)

Kohaku Uta Gassen

Usually shortened to Kohaku; it’s a program aired on NHK which showcases all of the most popular musical artists of the year in a giant concert. All of the female artists/groups are sorted into the Red team (akagumi) and the male artists/groups are sorted into the White team (shirogumi.) It was first broadcasted in 1951 and has grown bigger and more popular with each year. 2015′s program will be it’s 66th consecutive run.

Johnny’s Countdown

Another music program similar to Kohaku, aired on Fuji TV. Instead of ending before midnight like the former, it runs until about two in the morning. It begins just as Kohaku ends.

Downtown no Gaki no Tsukai ya Arahende!

Shortened to Gaki no Tsukai; it’s a long-running comedy show that always airs during the New Year’s time. In the “Batsu Game.“ the overall goal is “endurance,” and each time a person laughs, they are subjected to punishments.

New Year’s television is full of funny, creative, and really entertaining programs. Prank shows, music shows, comedy shows–it adds a whole level of entertainment to the holiday.

Joya no Kane

On the evening of the December 31st, temples and shrines strike a large brass bell 108 times before midnight (joya no kane.) It’s believed by Buddhists that the human soul has 108 mortal desires and, by doing this, it rids the people of their demons. Many people head out to see this being performed, and await the new year together, but families can also stay home and spend time together watching the various programs on television.

Hatsumode

On the morning of January 1st, families have their breakfast feast of zoni and osechi and then participate in hatsumode (the first shrine visit of the year.) The first shrine visit is an important one, so it becomes very crowded. At the shrines, people pray and offer thanks to the deities in hopes for a prosperous new year, and often get mikuji (fortunes) which are distributed by those overseeing the shrine. If someone gets a bad fortune, people can leave it with the shine in hopes of them cleansing it.

Otoshidama

To round it out, the biggest tradition (for children, anyway) is otoshidama. Money is gifted in decorative envelopes from all of their closest relatives. This is similar to the Chinese tradition of giving gifts of money to children in red envelopes. Parents, aunts and uncles, and grandparents as well. Depending on the age, a kid can expect anything from 10-100$USD from each person.

Here are some YouTube links with more condensed explanations:

Orangetummy - How the Japanese celebrate New Years 日本のお正月

TabiEats - Japanese New Year and How We Celebrate（日本のお正月)

Rachel & Jun - How Japanese celebrate New Year! 日本のお正月 (2015年)

randomyoko - ✰初詣等✰ NEW YEAR IN JAPAN 2013(2673) EDITION

Here are some articles as well:

x.           x.        x.            x.              x.             x.            x.      

[kiriyass-blog]

there’s a parallel universe in which you stayed

[kiriyass-blog]

Christmas in Japan: A Reference Tool (+video & article links!)

[You don’t need to ask if you want to reblog this for safe-keeping, go right ahead! I will probably reblog this throughout the month up until the 25th.]

I wanted to bring this up for the holiday season because the topic itself is interesting to me. It’s fascinating to see other cultures take traditionally Western holidays like Christmas and make it unique to their country. 

This is something that people don’t really seem to think about, especially in terms of roleplaying (inaccurate) holiday scenarios like: 

Making Japanese characters go trick-or-treating on Halloween [excluding rare instances with small children at public events, people don’t do this. Especially not teenagers/adults, and especially not ‘door-to-door.’]

Japanese characters having a “traditional” Christmas dinner (turkey, mashed potatoes, etc. Basically everything left over from Thanksgiving.)

Japanese characters disregarding the custom of girls giving gifts to guys on Valentine’s Day (February 14th), and guys giving gifts to girls on. White Day (March 14th.)

For starters, the most predominant religions in Japan are Shinto and Buddhism. The percentage of Christians in Japan is incredibly low. That being said, Japan isn’t a “Christian country.” 

Christmas is seen from a different perspective than in Western countries (for instance, the U.S.) because the Japanese don’t care about the religion involved. 

That being said, Christmas is not a national holiday. This means that people are still expected to go to school and work (this year Christmas falls on a Friday.) Because of that, Christmas is more typically celebrated on the 24th.

[However, what is a national holiday is December 23rd, the current emperor’s birthday (Emperor Akihito.)]

In America, Christmas is seen as a very family-oriented holiday–but in Japan, it’s all about the romance. Romance and happiness, more specifically. 

and consumer commercialism but that’s literally everywhere so that’s nothing special

Much like Japan commandeering Valentine’s Day in addition to their established White Day, Christmas in Japan has become a lover’s day. It’s a night for couples to:

go to expensive restaurants 

go on romantic walks through the generously decorated streets. 

stay in a love hotels.

exchange gifts

It’s a day for “celebrating” your love and your lover

                          w i n k  ;D             w o n k    ; DDDDDDD

And for those who are without a significant other around Christmas time, those people tend to hang out with friends to make the holiday season a bit more bearable. 

Also, if you’re looking for what the “traditional” Christmas dinner in Japan is, the answer is Kentucky Fried Chicken. 

What started as a promotional stunt in the 1970′s (which was basically KFC telling the Japanese public ‘yes, this is what people in the West eat on Christmas.’) has become an… accepted tradition, basically.  It’s so popular that people often have to call in and reserve their “Christmas bucket” days or weeks in advance.

To give a visual representation, this is the closest thing to a genuine Japanese Christmas song. It sums up basically everything I’ve mentioned above, so enjoy. 

Xmas? I Don’t Know Such a Thing by Hyadain 

While Christmas isn’t a national holiday, New Year’s Day in Japan is incredibly important. This is where people go to shrines and pray and leave offerings in hopes of a better new year (as seen at the end of the video.)

Also, here are some video references from YouTube vloggers who live in Japan: 

Experience JAPAN with YUKA

Abroadin Japan

Texan in Tokyo (Skip to 5:28)

Japan with Regan

Lastly, here are a few snazzy articles that go into a little more detail: 

x.   x.    x.    x.    x.    x. 

I hope I provided enough sources to give a clearer idea of how Christmas is and isn’t celebrated in Japan.

[kiriyass-blog]

I finally made a personal tumblr to appease my best friend. Like this if you want the url. 

[kiriyass-blog]

I finally made a personal tumblr to appease my best friend. Like this if you want the url. 

[kiriyass-blog]

never forget -  it is called FALLING in love for a reason. { the landing is never gentle. } 

[kiriyass-blog]

『 Sorry, but I’ve got higher standards than someone like fucking Kishinuma.

                                        Keep fucking dreaming. 』

[kiriyass-blog]

- On tonight’s episode of Misuto shitposting about teenagers -

[kiriyass-blog]

me: *dissociates for no reason at all and spends the whole day zoned out, emotionless and unable to focus*

me: this is fine

[kiriyass-blog]

// What does he like most about Spirited Away? (It's my own favorite~)

It’s more or less the creative characters and settings. It captures his attention, and keeps him there. It’s “cute” to him.  

Also, it’s just an underlying factor but it comes from a place that’s important to him on a personal level. There’s a lot of innocence in that movie, and Chihiro was able to complete her journey and find her away home because of how kind and innocent she was. 

Misuto has a childish side to him. Not just in the conventional ‘I enjoy watching nostalgic cartoons and like to roughhouse/play games,’ but more… emotionally. While it’s hard for him to control his own emotions, at the same time, kindness and naivety is something he really admires and appreciates. In it’s purest form, it’s something beautiful–despite the fact he also fears this, because he knows those who are kind will get taken advantage of in the end. But, if it’s a work of fiction, he can handle it a lot easier. 

That’s why he enjoys these films so much. It really gives his mind a break and gives him something positive to look at. 

[kiriyass-blog]

I see these being some of his favorites,

Spirited Away

Howl’s Moving Castle

Princess Mononoke

These movies I see him liking, for their overall theme and, speaking from a parallel standpoint, the reason I offered up Misuto’s Moving Castle as a crossover in the first place is because Howl reminds me a lot of Misuto, so I see it as something he’d like. 

Grave of the Fireflies, too, if we’re tossing in a sad one.