The custom which to give a present to others twice a year is in Japan.
Their name are "Ochugen" and "Oseibo."
And, this is a present for expressing the gratitude.
Person to whom Ochugen and Oseibo are sent.
Ochugen and Oseibo are presented to such people.
- Others who has a favor in everyday life.
- Business contacts on work.
- Relative.
- Own great teacher etc.
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Period when Ochugen and Oseibo should be sent.
[ Ochugen ] : Period from the end of June to July 15.
[ Oseibo ] : Period from December 13 to December 20.
Origin of Ochugen and Oseibo.
[ Ochugen ]
There used to be custom of "Sangen" in ancient China.
There are three kinds of Sangen.
They are "Jo-gen, Chu-gen, Ka-gen."
"Sangen" is custom that "Past sin" is expiated by the quid pro quo.
[But, I don't know about whether this custom is continued in present China.]
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There used to be custom that welcomed ancestor's soul twice a year in ancient Japan.
It is called "Mitama-matsuri".
And, the time of "Chugen of China" and "Mitama-matsuri of summer of Japan" was the same.
A custom similar to Chugen seems to have been established in Japan by such a reason.
[ Oseibo ]
The season of "Mitama-Matsuri of winter" of Japan is a New Year.
Originally Oseibo was a present between relatives.
"Oseibo" had been presented from the relative of "Bunke" to "Honke".
It is because an ancestral soul comes back to Honke.
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"Honke" is "The head family."
"Bunke" is "The branch family."
Moreover, it is said that most Oseibo presented to Honke were food.
Also as for a present Oseibo counter, a lot of kinds of Oseibo with food are exhibited.
And the custom came to extend to not only the relatives but also other people who had a favor before long.
Various goods for "Ochugen and Oseibo".
This is a counter of the Ochugen goods of a department store.
When the season of Ochugen and Oseibo approaches, such a counter is constructed temporarily in the department store.
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Let's see the goods.
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| The set of a cake and baked confectionery. | The set of soy sauce and cooking oil. |
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| The set of beef. | The set of thin wheat noodles. |
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| The set of ham. | The set of Nori product. |
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| The set of Mentaiko. | The set of pasta. |
There is innumerably kind besides these.
The future of Ochugen and Oseibo.
About Ochugen and Oseibo, "the goods which does not suit liking of self" is often sent.
In such a case, a present may be thrown away.
It is very too good.
Moreover, Ochugen and Oseibo should be essentially presented to "others with a friend and a favor."
But, even if the friendship disappears almost, it often keeps presenting it.
It is because the Japanese has the concept "It is impolite to stop Ochugen and Oseibo".
I think it is very meaningless.
But, there are fortunately a lot of people who think "Ochugen and Oseibo" to be meaningless.
It is "Young generation in Japan."
Probably in Japan of the future, the wasteful custom of "Otchugen-Oseibo" will be lost.
Hararie
Tokyo Time
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