Difference of Way of Celebrating Birthday of Japan and America

Birthday is an anniversary that all people have. The day that we were born is miracle so we say "Happy birthday" with all our heart. Then we often hold the birthday party. The general birthday party that we think of is exploding a cracker, singing a birthday song, eating mother’s cooking and a birthday cake, and opening a birthday present. But there are each custom and idea about birthday in countries of the world. Thereupon, I compare case of Japan and case of America.

A custom to hold a birthday party doesn't take root so strongly in Japan. There might be a person who doesn't remember the birthday and the age of the family either.　When a child is little, the parents hold a birthday party for their child, and invite only a few friends. However, when we grow up, our consideration to birthday drops off. The Japanese often doesn't think to advance in age is so good. Japanese often lose playful mind because of too busy days.

Contents of a birthday party of America are basically the same to Japan but America’s are large scale because a party culture developed there. In America, birthday of children is considered a family big event. When a child is a kindergartner, they have a birthday party at the restaurant with playground like McDonald. Some families hold a birthday party at their home. When a child is an elementary school student, they celebrate the child's birthday on a large scale with elaborated unique plans. For example chartering the swimming pool, the game arcade and the museum and so on, and enjoying various activities. They sometimes get the pierrot or the magician for the birthday party. If a mother makes cupcakes and cookies and brings those to the school, everyone of the class celebrate for a child. The child's birthday may be a big deal to the parents.

The birthday cake of Japan is generally a round decorated cake with whipped cream, some fruits, some candle, and a message plate. On the other hand, a birthday cake of America is usually a rectangular cake colorfully decorated with the picture and the doll of the character. American coat the cake with not whipped cream but frosting that kneaded together sugar, butter, the cream cheese and artificial coloring. It is unbelievable for Japanese. However, to American, it might be unbelievable to use whipped cream for the birthday cake. Then, blowing out candles on the birthday cake is a custom that germinated at America. It means to blot out the past and to wish the happy future. After they wish, they blow out candles. Japanese stand candles of the same number as one's age on the cake. It is said that the wish comes true if they can blow out candles at a breath. However, American stands candles of number of one's age that added one because they believe that more happiness turns up by doing that.

Both in Japan and America, there are customs that specially celebrate the first birthday and the 60th birthday. A baby shoulders a rice cake on the first birthday in Japan. Parents hope that their child grows healthy and strong. Then, Japanese present a red cloth to the person who got 60th birthday. Red means "return to a baby" and "color against evil." American calls the silver coin of one's birth age "a lucky coin," and they present it to the person who got 60th birthday as "a talisman of luck". Ways of celebrating birthday are various but our hope that we want to celebrate the person who gets a birthday is nearly the same.

American holds the birthday party in the mind that the leading part on the birthday shares happiness with the others. Perhaps, they consider that celebrating birthday of every year is more important. A lot of Americans hold the birthday party even if growing up. They always don't forget "surprise." They keep having the mind of children, and they genuinely enjoy the birthday party. I have heard that people who become happy with advancing age increase in America.

Originally in Japan, there was no custom of celebrating the birthday of every year but it had come down from Europe and America at the Meiji era. However, present Japanese life style is changing to Europe and America. The awareness of the Japanese for birthday might also change like the American in the future. If we treasure the birthday of every year, we might get to like getting old.

750 words (total 750 words)