As November 23rd coincides with the fourth Thursday of November this year, it shares the date with the American Thanksgiving holiday. This coincidence spurred my curiosity to delve deeper into the origins of Japan’s Labor Thanksgiving Day and Thanksgiving, as well as the subsequent Black Friday sales.
Labor Thanksgiving Day in Japan stems from an ancient harvest festival known as Niiname-sai, celebrating the autumn harvest and expressing gratitude for blessings and national prosperity. In contrast, American Thanksgiving is said to originate from an event where pilgrims celebrated their first harvest with the indigenous people, placing significant importance on gathering with family and friends for a meal.
Upon comparison, it becomes evident that both festivals share a common thread of celebrating the harvest and hoping for abundance. Given that both occur in autumn and considering the reliance on climate for a bountiful grain harvest, it's natural that similar customs exist worldwide.
While the origins and historical backgrounds have similarities, the way each culture celebrates these days is quite fascinating. In Japan, as the name suggests, there is an emphasis on appreciating everyone who contributes to society through labor, highlighting the importance of work. Meanwhile, in America, the focus is on gathering with family and friends for a specific meal. This reflects the tendency of Japanese culture towards collectivism, whereas American (Western) culture leans more towards individualism. However, it’s important to note that both cultures are complex and cannot be simplified into these single aspects.
Post-holiday, we look forward to the Black Friday sales. In Japan, about ten years ago, we started hearing about these sales, primarily introduced by foreign online retailers like Amazon and nationwide shopping malls. Japanese people, fond of festivals, seem to embrace these events regardless of their origin, creating various promotional activities. Ten years ago, the meaning of Black Friday and the reason for sales were not widely known, but in recent years, it’s become recognized as the day for the year's best shopping deals.
Personally, I eagerly await Black Friday sales for significant discounts on essential and luxury electronics. Many online stores start their sales at midnight on the 24th, and I’m already excited.
A personal experience to share: Traveling to the U.S. during Christmas or Thanksgiving holiday weeks can be quite challenging. Forgetting American culture and events and trying to schedule business trips during Japanese holidays means business is practically impossible, which is amusing in retrospect. While I thought of holidays as an opportunity for non-duty business endeavors (am I alone in this?), everyone I met was excited about the sales.
So, enjoy the holidays and the sales in your own way!
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