Nara-City, the capitol city of Nara prefecture, is known for it’s beautiful temples and overly aggressive biting deer monsters. This year, Nara Heijo-Kyo Capitol is celebrating its 1300th year anniversary, and will be holding a big a event. Usually when this kind of thing happens, whoever is running the event comes up with an over the top mascot that cutes you into coming. This year, the Association for Commemorative Events seems to be taking the opposite approach.

Perhaps the event is expecting too many people, and Nara is too small to support them, so they are trying to scare visitors away? What’s he doing with his hand? Trying to touch you in inappropriate places? He kind of looks like Buddha…except for the fact that he has antlers coming out of his head. I would never spend any time alone with this guy. In fact, I wonder how he eats, because no restaurant I know of would let someone with no shoes and no shirt in, even if summers do get warm. Also, I know what the thing on his forehead is supposed to be, but honestly, it just looks like a third nipple (actually, his only nipple from the looks of things) smack dab between his eyes. Nara Association of Commemorative Events, what were you thinking?

The entirety of Japan also feels like Chester (I’ve named him Chester, don’t ask) is a bit on the ugly side. When the Events board asked for suggestions on what to name him (Please pick mine!), they instead got a ton of people complaining about how ugly it was. Still, I’m interested to find out what his name ends up being. I mean, come on, he has antlers coming out of his head…

Winning a Prize (it’s a contest!)

When I saw this deer-Buddha-man, I thought: “Hey, I bet there’s someone out there who can come up with something better.” That’s when I took to drawing my own mascot.

The Monk looked up from copying Sutras. It had been three days since he had last eaten, so he thought the rumbling must be in his stomach. He went back to work, ignoring the vibrations.

Outside, a giant deer was blowing toxic green slime all over the city. When he came across a building, he would trample it with his feet, made completely of diamonds. When a building was too tall, he would simply swing his head forward and cut them in half with his kick-ass katana antlers. There was nothing this deer could not overwhelm with its sheer might and skill.

The Japanese government knew they had to call on Godzilla, which sucked because he would always destroy Tokyo before helping with anything else. After flattening the Ginza area, Godzilla was coaxed into going to Nara, where he roundhouse kicked the deer in the stomach. The deer threw up some of its radioactive slime from the impact and then sliced Godzilla in the face with his katana antlers.

This is where you come in. You have two choices (as well as two prizes). Here they are:

1) Draw your own Nara Mascot:

Prize: Japanese text book fit to your level of Japanese
Deadline: Monday, March 24, 2008 Wednesday, April 9. 12:00 noon Pacific Standard Time.

The rules are as follows. Not following the rules could make your entry less winnable:

• Must be an original drawing of some sort. Hand drawn, computer drawn, anything is okay. Just don’t steal some other mascot and put it up here.
• Has to somehow be related to either deer, a buddha, a temple, a shrine, or Nara (in some way). Basically, it has to relate to Nara in some way.
• The funnier it is, the more likely it will win.
• I will pick my favorites and then put them up in a future post for you all to vote on (to pick the final winner).

The winner of the “draw your own Nara mascot contest” will win a Japanese textbook of my choice. It really depends on what level you are, so if you win, we’ll figure it out together. I’ve got favorite text books up and down the level curve, so all people studying Japanese should apply! Just send me your image by the deadline!

2) Finish the Story

Prize: Mystery Prize worth $20+ somehow related to Japanese
Deadline: Monday, March 24, 2008 Wednesday, April 9. 12:00 noon Pacific Standard Time.

Everyone see the story underneath the image of my awesome slime-spewing deer? All you have to do is finish the story and send it in to me. Please don’t write more than two pages, single spaced. I’ll pick the ones I like the most and post them up on the 25th, as well as choose the winner for it. I can’t tell you what the prize is, but know that it’s pretty sweet. If I don’t like any of them, then I suppose it is possibe that nobody can win.

There you have it. Any questions? Please contact me. I’m really looking forward to seeing your submissions!

A Brief History of Kurisumasu

Christmas in Japan is an interesting creature. The holiday was introduced back in the day (during the 16th century, if you want to be exact about it) when Christian missionaries first came to Japan. In the modern day, though, being a largely non-Christian country, observance of the day is pretty secular—no midnight mass or nativity scenes or anything like that. In fact, many Japanese kids (and possibly adults?) seem to be under the impression that the day is a celebration of Santa’s Birthday. Not a wholly unreasonable thought, I suppose. Anyway, initially adopted by the Japanese government to gain acceptance from powerful and snobby Western nations, Christmas gained more and more popularity as the country modernized, reaching its most commercial form around 1960.

Pseudo-Holiday

It’s important to note, though, that Christmas isn’t actually a national holiday in Japan and as often seen as an offshoot of the New Year’s festivities (which are official). Still, to the relief of department stores, bakeries, and Christmas tree sellers nationwide, most people have adopted the non-religious aspects of the holiday, buying and exchanging gifts, eating “special” foods and decorating their houses (though not quite so much as their American counterparts).

A 2nd Valentine’s Day?

Aditionally, Christmas Eve is seen as one of the most romantic nights of the year. The 24th is a day often chosen for dates and confessions—remember the last episode of Hana Yori Dango when Shizuka tells Rui she loves him and Tsukushi finally kisses Tsukasa? That’s exactly kind of how it is in real life! Because of the popularity of Christmas Eve as a “date night”, hotels and restaurants usually offer discounts or special packages to capitalize on the lovey-dovey feelings going around.

KFC and Christmas Cake

Somehow, Kentucky Fried Chicken, or ケンタッキー (kentakkii) as it’s known in Japan, managed to convince the country in 1970 that fried chicken was the way to go come Christmas time. Most people (from my experience, anyway) see it as a kind of turkey substitute, as turkey is traditional for Western Christmases but not readily available in most asian countries. Fried chicken is so popular that most Japanese families reserve their Christmas Party Barrels ahead of time; items bought between the 24th and 25th account for 20% of the company’s annual sales.

As for Christmas cakes, they’re not bought from any particular restaurant or bakery, but they’re pretty ubiquitous—more so, I would say, than fried chicken. They’re usually a vanilla sponge cake decorated with simple white frosting, strawberries, and a Christmas message.

Fun Fact: Because Christmas cake is thrown out after Christmas Day (the 25th), the term has become slang for a 25+ year old woman who has passed her prime and is no longer attractive as a potential wife, girlfriend, etc. As they say, “Nobody wants Christmas cake after the 25th”. Now, I don’t believe that this is true (or particularly nice), but I thought it warranted mentioning, anyway.

About 50% of all Japanese people have bought at least one of the two items this year. Together, they comprise the stereotypical (some would say “traditional”) Japanese Christmas meal.

A Message From Tofugu

From all the writers at Tofugu, I’d like to wish you all Happy Holidays and a great New Year! As corny as it may sound, it’s true. We appreciate your comments and support more than we can say.