From 1% Christian Japan, "MERRY CHRISTMAS" To All (It Is Said & Seen EVERYWHERE Here)

AmericanInTokyo and Flickr.com ^ | 23 December 2007 | AmericanInTokyo

[AmericanInTokyo]

Yes, secular and commercial in many circles (same as in USA, Europe, etc) but also very religious in other circles.

The church we went to last night was packed to the rafters. They sang carols both in English and Japanese. I dont think there was a dry eye in the house.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Generally limited to December, a little bit in late November. Ends PROMPTLY (except in Christian Churches) on the late evening of December 25, i.e. decorations come down and New Years decorations go up. Have a merry Christmas.

[shield]

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
American in Tokyo ;o)

[Dr.Zoidberg]

Thanks for the reply AIT and a Very Merry Christmas to you as well.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Apologies for the very "bulk message nature" of this reply, but MERRY CHRISTMAS right back to you, who posted! Thanks for your messages and I appreciate you looking at the thread and the photos.

Everyone take care now, OK?

[AmericanInTokyo]

25 December is not a national holiday here. The day before, was, but just this year, as that holiday was actually on 23 December, a Sunday. Merry Christmas!

[AmericanInTokyo]

Thanks bahblahbah for all the photos, artwork, etc.! Merry Christmas!

[SouthTexas]

And the same back to you!

(If it's not already over.) :)

[AmericanInTokyo]

Nope, we have (if you go by the start of 26 December as Christmas being over) another 13 or more hours to go.

It is 10:40 a.m. here, 25 December. Cloudy skies. Cold.

[max americana]

MERRY CHRISTMAS BACK AT YA’ , AIT!

[SouthTexas]

We have dark at the moment, but only chilly. It won't be the normal south Texas Christmas weather tomorrow, 70 degrees with sunshine, but it won't miss by much.

Have a great one!

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

Merry Christmas to you. As I understand it the Japanese have a certain syncretic approach to religion, and give respect to most religious beliefs, to the point of participating in their religious ceremonies. If that is true, possibly many in those churches are non-Christians showing respect to Christianity. I guess that the Japanese Christians are in part descended from the Catholics who were first converted in the 16th century, and others derive from conversion efforts in the last 150 years. Can you guess how many are in each of these groups, and correct any misunderstandings on my part.

[Tennessee Nana]

Merry Christmas to all here and your wonderful families...

[AmericanInTokyo]

Thanks and BTTT

[Peace4EarthNow]

A very Merry Christmas to you, AmericanInTokyo!!

God bless...

[SuziQ]

I was amazed at the selection of foods available at just Takashimaya! Frankly, you’d never have to cook supper if you lived in Tokyo and went through Shinjuku station each day! You could pick something different up every day for a month! It wasn’t even that expensive, and that surprised me!

[AmericanInTokyo]

Yes, that is indeed the same Tokyo!

Here is a tree for you!

Also, in fact, here is the TAKASHIMAYA DEPARTMENT STORE banner for Christmas, seen all throughout their store this year. I think it would be remarkable in the USA these days, unless things are returning to normal.

[AmericanInTokyo]

My own conjecture is that as a whole, Christendom in Japan amounts to between 1% and 2% of the people.

Of that, I would say roughly it is probably a 50% / 50% split between "Catholics" and "Protestants".

[AmericanInTokyo]

GOOD NIGHT ALL

[AmericanInTokyo]

And see you all later this 2008!!