The holiday derives from the ancient Roman fertility rite feast of Lupercalia. Eligible young Roman men and women would be paired as couples through a town lottery.
In 496 Pope Gelasius officially declared February 14 to be the feast day of three Roman martyrs, all named Saint Valentine, and all beheaded in 270 AD.
Today In Japan only the women give chocolates to men on Valentines Day. The chocolate companies sell more than half of their annual sales during the week before February 14th. Men are supposed to return gifts to women a month later on White Day march 14th.
On White Day, men return the favor to women who purchased giri chocolate on Valentine's Day. Gifts from the men can be white chocolate, but often lingerie is given even to female co-workers on this holiday.
Japanese Women give true love chocolates called Honmei-choko to their loved ones. Japanese women spend more money for true love chocolate. Limited edition Honmei-chocolate from Europe can cost $200 USD or more, per box.
Honmei and Giri Choco
Giri-choko is the chocolates given to other men such as bosses or male friends. The concept of "giri" is a mutual obligation that you follow when dealing with people. If someone does you a favor, then you are obligated to them.
Unlike the West, Valentine's cards are not common in Japan, and the phrase "Happy Valentines Day" is not used, except in advertising.
From the beheading of saints to the mating of European birds, this holiday today in Japan has a “white day” to balance giri.
In a survey by iBridge, based in Osaka, 70% of the female office workers up to 30 years of age would be happy to see an end to the custom of giving “giri choco” - literally, obligation chocolates - to their male superiors on Valentine’s Day.
Forced to give obligation-choko might some day be a celebration of the past.
What would Emo-Girls do?
Would they buy the giri-choco or refuse to? Note: You can't call in sick and you can't return candy for a credit.
A songwriter, singer, actress and dancer from Kanagawa Prefecture, Ami-Go was discovered by the Sony Music talent show Asayan in 1998. In 2000 her career came to an halt when AG Communications, was convicted for tax evasion. She filed a claim against the parent company Sony. In 2003, Ami negotiated an out-of-court agreement . Her contract with Sony ended December 2004 with no products released since 2001.
In October 2005 Ami-Go released her first studio album in five years, on Avex Trax, “ Around the World”. This is her hit "Free". Her style is electronic Euro-Pop Dance.
On February 27, 1947, a middle-aged woman selling contraband cigarettes on Taipei's Taiping Road was arrested and beaten by police and officials of the Taiwan Tobacco & Wine Monopoly Bureau.
Witnesses, angered by the brutal act, attacked the officials. During the commotion a citizen was fatally shot. This killing further incensed the people. A nearby police station was surrounded to demand justice for the acts of the military police.
The next day the protesters besieged the Monopoly Bureau building. That early evening the demonstrators marched to the governor's residence. At the residence they were fired on by soldiers from the roof of the building. There was the loss of many lives.
By 3:00 PM, martial law was declared in Taipei. Military troops patrolled the streets shooting and killing many innocent people.
ROC troops launched a massive crackdown. By the end of March, Chen Yi had jailed or killed all the leading rebels. His troops reportedly executed between 3,000 and 4,000 people throughout the island.
Some of the killings were systematic. Political leaders and their followers were among those targeted. A disproportionate number of the victims were volunteer police forces. Several sources have claimed that ROC troops were arresting and executing anyone wearing student uniforms.
Politicians and prominent members of society formed a Committee to negotiate with Governor Chen Yi and the Nationalist government to investigate the incident and institute reform.
On March 21, 1947, the "Relief and Compensation for Government and School Employees Due to the 228 Incident" was announced. Compensation amounts were set at NT$200,000 for each death.
More than four decades later, in 1995 former Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui made a formal apology on behalf of the government. Taipei New Park was renamed 228 Memorial Park. February 28 was also designated as Peace Memorial Day. A Foundation was established to compensate victims and their families.
Families of those killed as a result of the February 28 Incident became eligible for compensation of NT$6 million, People incarcerated for over 20 years because of the incident may receive NT$5 million. At this time the government has approved compensation for only 1,300 victims.
For several decades, the KMT controled government prohibited public discussion of the 228 Massacre and many children grew up without knowing this event had ever occurred.
The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) has been distorting the truth of the 228 Incident. The incident was a systematic massacre carried out to further the political interests of Chiang Kai-shek.
The 228 incident is a false history fabricated for political purposes.
The nature of the incident was a systematic slaughter and organized suppression of Taiwan carried out by a foreign regime to consolidate its power.
The total number of victims is still in dispute. The official estimate is somewhere between 10,000 and 30,000 killed.
The Kuomintang is the world's richest political party, with assets estimated to be over 10 billion US Dollars.
Severe inflation due to government corruption led to the issue of currency in denominations of 1 million Taiwan Dollars.
copynote ROC.gov
The Day of Makha Bucha
February 28
Thailand
The Day of Makha Bucha
Theravada Buddhism is the religion of the Thai people. Buddhism appeared in the peninsular of the country about the 3rd century B.C., before the founding of the Kingdom of Siam. The home of the world's tallest Buddhist pagoda is in Nakorn Pathom.
The Buddhist emperor Ashoke, who lived from 267-227 B.C., sent missionaries to spread the religion throughout the land.
Thai Buddhists celebrate three major holy days each year which mark events in the Buddha's lifetime.
Makha Bucha, is celebrated on the night of the full moon of the third lunar month.
On Makha Bucha Thai Buddhists gather at the temple at sunset to Wian Tian, or to circumambulate the Bhot, while holding a lighted candle.
This is the worshipper’s way to show respect. This is called the "triple gem", which is the Buddha himself, his teachings and doctrines that he founded.
Ayu is a Fukuoka born singer-songwriter actress, dubbed the "Empress of Pop". She moved to Tokyo at fourteen to pursue a career in entertainment. In 1998, under the tutelage of Avex she released a group of singles and her debut album A Song for XX.
Hamasaki has released hundreds of original songs covering a wide range of musical styles from metal, dance, pop, to classical.
1/2 cup salted butter
One whole medium artichoke
1/2 cup coconut milk
1 tsp. red curry paste
One egg
1/2 tsp all purpose flower
2 tsp. fish sauce
1 tsp. sugar
2 chopped cleaned medium shrimp
2 cleaned mussels
2 scallops
2 thin slices cleaned squid
4 Thai sweet basil leaves
1. Cut the stem of the artichoke evenly so that it can set straight by itself.
2. Trim unwated leaves. Boil for 20 minutes. Let cool, and scoop out hairy part with spoon. Put it aside.
3. In a medium bowl, add coconut milk amd curry paste, beat well. Next add eggs, fish sauce and sugar. Mix well. Add other ingedients and lightly toss.
4. Scoop mixture into the artichoke and steam for 30 minutes. Can be served as an appetizer or side dish.
Recipe from Denise Keifer-Perez
SPECIAL ARTIST TRIBUTE
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KODA
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UTADA____________
LEE_
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HAMASAKI
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MUI__________
SUZUKI_
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AsianEntertainment.org
A Monthly Guide to Selected Asian Holidays and Customs
