Valentine’s day in Japan is celebrated somewhat differently than in western countries. If you have ever seen a Japanese drama, anime or manga, you will know what I mean. Like how come the girl is the only one giving chocolates? This type of behavior shouldn’t be acceptable. But there’s much more to it than means the eye.
Origins of Valentine’s Day
The origins of this holiday is unclear. And after reading several websites, all I know is that the holiday could be based on one or two or three different dudes named Valentine. But in one story, marriages were banned in the 3rd century A.D. and a priest named Valentine married couples in secret. He was jailed where he fell in love with the jailer’s daughter and he wrote a note that read, “From your Valentine.” He was executed on February 14.
Valentine’s Day has many names: The Feast of Saint Valentine, The Celebration of Love and Affection, The Day of Love and Friendship.
How to celebrate in Japan
On Valentine’s Day in Japan it is expected that women give gifts. There are two types of gift that they give. One is giri-choco, which is obligation chocolate. These type of chocolates are call obligation because they are expected to be given. They are typically store-bought. Women hand these out to friends, bosses, and colleagues. Basically anyone who they have no romantic interest in.
The second type of chocolate that is given on Valentine’s Day in Japan is honmei-choco. Honmei chocolate is always homemade and is given to the love interest. It is believed that store-bought equates to untrue love. But homemade chocolate is a sincere and thoughtful way to show love.
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So this mean the men off the hook, huh? They only wished. Thus comes White Day…
White Day Explained
White Day is celebrated a month after Valentine’s Day. On this day, men return gifts to women who gave gifts on Valentine’s Day. The gifts are typically, but not limited to white chocolate (where the holiday may have gotten its name), marshmallow treats, cookies, candies, jewelry, and even white clothes. The holiday originated in the 1970s and has since spread to other countries in the area.
In South Korea, they celebrate the holiday by giving lollipops and hard candies. And month later on April 14, singles are able to celebrate the holiday called Black Day. Singles wear black and eat black food (Jajangmyeon-Black noodles).
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Making Homemade Chocolates
The idea of making my own Valentine’s Day chocolates came to me when I watched Good Morning Call, the Japanese Drama on Netflix. Nao made her man a cake. At first, I thought I could do that too, but I considered a lot of thing: a cake so big so I’d have to help eat it (and I’m not too fond of cake), and I really suck at baking.
While doing research about Valentine’s Day cake, I read that it is more common for women to give chocolates instead. Chocolates are a better choice anyways.
I thought it would be nice if I attempted to make my own Valentine’s Day chocolate and I discovered that it is too easy to not. At least if you make simple plain chocolate.
V-Day Chocolates
Ingredients
- 8 ounces of chocolate bars or chocolate chips
- ---
- optional:
- Things to mix in: nuts dried fruit, shredded coconut
- Fillings: Caramel peanut butter, jam
- Toppings: Sprinkles crushed candy
Instructions
- 1. Heat water to boil in a pot.
- 2. Once boiling, place a glass bowl over and put chocolates inside.
- 3. Mix the chocolate consistently until completely melted.
- 4. Once Melted, place into molds (or whatever you want to use to shape the chocolate).
- 5. Place in the refrigerator to cool.
- 6. Once cooled, you are done.
Notes
Thoughts
It was extremely easy to make my own chocolates. Not to mention it cost less. I made my own sprinkles too, but I didn’t like them that much, so I won’t share where I found that recipe.