Goodbye Xmas

After the weeks of muzak build-up, Japan retires Xmas with merciful speed. On the night of the 25th, the last Xmas cakes are discounted and forgotten. I kind of miss the US tradition of witnessing the first Xmas tree junked on the curb. The closer to the 25th the public abandonment, somehow the more worthy of attention. In Tokyo, I guess I can safely forget about the close association between Jesus’ birth and the by-reservation only consuming of fast food fried chicken. If any aficionados are reading this blog, please let me know how Mos and KFC and others compare.

I hate Christmas

Hating Christmas in Japan is received with total incomprehension. It’s like running for president of the USA as an atheist. Incomprehensible. Yet I do– from baby Jesus to rampant consumerism to the poor Walmart victim of the holiday shopping rush. RIP, Jdimytai Damour.

Japanese love Christmas beyond all reason. It’s the ultimate obsessive empty-signifier– all love and no meaning. Holiday lights everywhere, and a Christmas soundtrack to all public and retail spaces.

But even I must admit to a certain thrill upon discovering, for the very first time, George Michael’s “Last Christmas.” They play it here as if the 80s never ended. The video is sublime. If only this was the very last Xmas!