Holiday Traditions Around the World

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Japan

Christmas in Japan is a relatively new celebration which is celebrated mainly in the cities. The popularity of Christmas began at the beginning of the 20th century. The Japanese became acquainted with the holiday because of the Christmas products they manufactured for other countries. For most of the Japanese who celebrate Christmas, it's purely a secular holiday devoted to the love of their children.

Christmas decorations abound throughout the cities. Tinsel and lights are hung in dance halls, cafes, and pinball parlors where "modern-minded" Japanese go to celebrate. The trees are decorated with small toys, dolls, paper ornaments, gold paper fans and lanterns, and wind chimes. Miniature candles are also put among the tree branches. One of the most popular ornaments is the origami swan. Japanese children have exchanged thousands of folded paper "birds of peace" with young people all over the world as a pledge that war must not happen again.

Many of the Japanese people take this time of the year to do special things for others. For instance, hospitals are decorated with a Christmas tree to lift the spirits of the sick. Children are chosen to sing carols to the patients. Others may even put on plays about the birth of Jesus.

Japanese children call Santa, "Santa Kurohsu" and he is believed to have eyes in the back of his head so that he can watch the children all year long.

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