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  • Seniors
    • Bento Program
    • Smartphone/Tablet Class
    • TNK Classes
    • Tomo Cafe | 友カフェ
  • Events/Programs
    • Upcoming Events
    • Japanese Language School >
      • JLS Graduates
    • The Bridge: GVJCI Heritage Center
    • Day Of Remembrance >
      • DOR 2023
    • Meditation & More Class
    • GVJCI Scholarship
    • TANOSHII Fun Camp >
      • Camper Registration
      • Counselor Registration
      • Testimonials
      • Camp Supporters
      • Activities
      • FAQ
    • Past Events
  • Organizations
    • Bando Hidesomi
    • Boy Scout Troop 683
    • Boy Scout Troop 719
    • Evening Optimist Club of Gardena
    • Gardena JCI Kendo
    • Gardena Judo Club
    • Gardena Kendo
    • Gardena Naginata
    • Hawaiian Music Class
    • Kyudo Renmei
    • LA Men's Glee Club
    • Meito Calligraphy
    • Sansei Baseball League
    • South Bay F.O.R Junior Sports Association
    • South Bay Youth Basketball
    • Taiko
  • Support Us
    • Become a Friend of the GVJCI
    • 2023 GVJCI Raffle Drawing
    • Become a Bento Buddy
    • Donate Your Car
    • Shop on Amazon
    • Purchase a 2023 Calendar Ad
    • Volunteer
  • Reserve our Facilities
  • Donate

GVJCI Blog
ガーデナ平原日本文化会館ブログ

Pi Day? No, White Day.

3/14/2019

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By: Nicole Sato, GVJCI Program Manager 
March 14th is infamously known in the US as Pi Day. The punny holiday has taken a good commercialism with pie stores and pizza places celebrating Pi Day with their own pies.  

But in Japan, March 14th is known for a completely different holiday - White Day.  White Day??  If it weren't for this holiday, Japan may be celebrating Pi Day too. After all, they too like their pun holidays (November 11 is known as Pocky day because the 11/11 look like Pocky sticks.) 
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aSo what's White Day? Let's back up a little. In the US, traditionally, chocolates, flowers, and gifts are given from a man to a woman. However, in Japan, the tradition's been reversed. Girls and women of all ages stay up the night before crafting their best handmade chocolate sweets to give to men, whether it be friends (tomo-choko), someone they want to confess their love to or someone they love (honmei-choko), or just someone as a polite V-Day gesture (giri-choko).  Different, right? 

Now, White Day. March 14th? Does the date seem kinda familiar? That's right, it's exactly a month after Valentine's Day. There are several theories on how and why this holiday actually started, but the most popular theory is that in the 70s, the confectionery industry started it up as "return day" for men to say thank you to the women that gave them chocolates (and their hearts, maybe) a month before. Hallmark Holiday, much? Totally.  

Their plan worked though, because White Day is still a thing now. Originally, it was called "White Day" because it was marketed to sell marshmallows. From there, it evolved to white chocolate, and now today, there's everything from regular chocolate to jewelry as a return gift. Now, White Day is celebrated not only in Japan, but in many Asian countries, including South Korea, Vietnam, and China. 

Speaking of South Korea...Didn't receive anything on either days? Don't worry, there's always Black Day next month on the 14th where singles who didn't receive anything on the past two months eat jajangmyeon (I'll give you a hint - it's black-ish looking) in misery ​😉
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May 5th is Kodomo No Hi!

5/5/2017

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Nicole Sato, GVJCI Program Coordinator 

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May 5th is...?
If you said Cinco De Mayo, okay, okay, you're not wrong, but we wanted Kodomo No Hi! as the answer. 
That's right. Every May 5th is Kodomo No Hi in Japan! What's Kodomo No Hi? It directly translates to: Kodomo (子供): Child(ren) No(の): 's  Hi(日): Day. Yup, it's a day to celebrate children's health and happiness as well as thanking and celebrating mothers 🤰

Maybe you're like, "Wait. I thought today was Boy's Day???" Well, you're right and wrong. Boy's Day or Tango (that's with a short A not the long A like the smooth South American dance you all like 💃) No Sekku (丹後の節句) was officially changed into a Japanese holiday since 1948, when it became Children's Day. Boys are still celebrated though, as the means of celebrating (the koinobori, kabuto, etc) is still in tradition. Read on to find out! 

Feel like celebrating yet? Good! We'll talk about some things to get your Kodomo No Hi celebrations on the road! 

Koinobori ​🎏

If you've ever been to Japan this time around, you might have seen these huuuuuuuge fish kite looking things flying around town. These are "koinobori" which yes, is koi, or carp! Carps are known and often depicted as going upstream through a river or waterfall (and one of the few fish that can) and according to Chinese legends (where the tradition of Kodomo No Hi actually originated from), once the carp reaches the top of the waterfall, they become dragons 🐉! Koinoboris are now used to symbolize both family (if you look closely, they range in size from Dad, Mom, and Child) and hopes that a child will grow up to face the currents of life. 

"But I don't have a koinobori!" you say. Well, we don't blame you. Those things are huge and expensive. But some local supermarkets do carry smaller ones that are desk size! You can also make your own! We've got just the DIY craft you can do! 
While you're in a craft mood, try making a kabuto hat out of newspapers to wear around!

Kashiwa Mochi VS Chimaki 


Ah, now onto the food!
If you're born and raised here, you're probably more familiar with the one on the left. That's the common Kashiwamochi, eaten on Kodomo No Hi.  
Kashiwa leaves are oak leaves! And oak leaves are known to not fall off until the new ones can sprout. People have put in the meaning of "until the child grows up, the parents will not pass" in hopes of their children growing up healthy. 
Chimaki sushi, on the right, are commonly eaten in the Kansai region and is a mochi often wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves. 
Pick some up at your local Japanese supermarket and start chewing away!
Do you celebrate Kodomo No Hi? How do you celebrate it? Did you learn something new? We hope so! 
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Liven Up Life (And Any Party) With Some Lovely Lanterns!

3/20/2017

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Stephanie Mayeda, GVJCI Social Media & Community Outreach Intern
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Ah, the first day of spring! Now's the time of year when people begin to spruce up the house, getting rid of the old and adding back a little new. If you're looking to add a little extra cuteness at little to no cost, then why not try out these adorable lanterns! Fit for many occasions, these little guys can add a touch of sweetness and creativity to anything from an elegant wedding to a child's birthday party.

Here at the GVJCI, we like to use these lanterns for our annual Matsuri held every June. They add a nice bit of prettiness to an event that's already filled with so much fun! To make them, check out the instructions below!

Happy crafting!

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Hinamatsuri: A Celebration for Girls! 

3/3/2017

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Nicole Sato, GVJCI Program Coordinator

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Ah plum blossoms, hinaningyo, chirashi sushi, and hina-arare. Sounds like it's March 3rd, Hinamatsuri! 
Hinamatsuri is celebrated in Japan and in many Japanese families around the world in celebration of young girls' health, happiness, and prosperity. Japanese Heian style dolls known as Hinaningyo (雛人形) are displayed in homes, cultural centers, and schools, parents are busy cooking chirashi for dinner, and sweet and salty hina-arare are eaten as snacks on this day. Plum blossom season is right around the corner and are often on display near the dolls as well. 

"Hey! I want to celebrate it too," you say? Well, you can!
Follow this blog post so that you can celebrate at home! 🍴 (Where's the chopsticks emoji, huh!?)

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