Gift giving in Japan: Origins Origins in offerings made to deities (kami) Arises out of traditional feelings of giri and on. All gifts must therefore be reciprocated. Exchanges are traditionally between households (ie) rather than individuals

Gift giving in Japan: evolution With urbanization has come change Urbanites are outside traditional community webs They have less time, money, space Some consequences: Gift giving is treated as an empty formality arising from giri Gift giving from individual to individual is on the rise Valentine’s Day, White Day Collective gift giving, competitive gift giving Taraimawashi: the “gift room”

Gift giving in Japan: etiquette Gifts are always wrapped (even if the gift is laundry soap). The giver should disparage the gift “It’s really nothing….” It is usually not opened in front of the giver Exception: food to be shared The wrapping is removed intact by the receiver

Gift giving in Japan: occasions Obon and New Year’s: ochūgen and oseibo Mostly within families and company groups Popularity in decline In gratitude for assistance rendered In time of illness, or by a teacher, etc. Special occasions Rites of passage, sometimes birthdays

Gift giving in Japan: omiage Gifts brought back from a trip Dates back to the Ise pilgrimage of the Tokugawa era Sometimes competitive

Gift giving in Japan: the dark side The thin line between gratitude and bribery Gifts to teachers The “Recruit scandal”

Dinner Entertainment restaurant vs ryōtei 料亭 (ryootei) Formal business entertainment is usually done at ryōtei But, restaurants and bars (including izakaya) are popular sites for less formal gatherings

Basic etiquette for social gatherings (Befu) Never pour your own drink; if you want more, pour someone else some. Be sure to hold your glass when it is being filled. Stay engaged with the group as a whole; stay on the subject of conversation. When you are the main person at the gathering, you choose the topic of conversation. Self-deprecating remarks are always appropriate. Friendly argument and debate is appropriate If you’ve had enough to drink, leave your cup full.

Recreation and the “group” the case of Japanese skiiers in Korea (Brandt) As always, style is important! Outfits that match, and matching outfits Group performance valued “frame” characteristics in an “attribute” group Hierarchy prevails, by skill and seniority Organization frame more important than ethnicity The Japanese ski instructor did not associate with the ski club

Recreation in Japan: pro baseball Features in common with Koshien include group cheering and cheerleaders However, there is less identification with the team than with Koshien Commentary also focuses more on technique

Foreign players in Japanese baseball A case of soto-uchi: Tuffy Rhodes and Sadaharu OhTuffy Rhodes and Sadaharu Oh Oh is now owner of the Daiei Hawks

Summary The intracacies of gift giving Dinner entertainment as group-fortifying activity – bonding in the frame Other social groups form by common interest Coffee-klatches Sports clubs The group at the national level: baseball