A gift into the culture

Japans strong culture of gift exchanging is ever present in our daily life. A co-worker brings cake for Henrik to pass on to me (whom he has never met), friends bring souvenirs from recent holidays or day trips, the neighbor stops by with home cooked food, teachers bring flowers from their garden and strangers share knowledge, advices and rice crackers as we hit the road touring the country. Acquaintances share sacks of fresh vegetables and fruits with us.
Seldom a fortnight goes by without something finds it's way to our house and hearts. Quite overwhelming for someone coming from a culture where one has a tendency to only share with whom one has already bonded with.
We have become most grateful for the gift exchange ritual, which in many ways has served us to a better integration and understanding of Japan. When a stranger on the train decides to give us a paper crafted kimono doll it opens for conversation and thus breaks down barriers between us and the locals. A gift from a friend or an acquaintance makes us feel home and accepted in a culture where feelings are most often implicit. The gift itself teaches us about the local food culture, traditions and handicrafts as it often comes with a story about the place it was bought, the season of the year or the traditions of the country.
Today, our kind neighbor stopped by with a feast consisting of homemade tea flavored bread, jam and two different kinds of traditional Japanese sweets.

The bread was still warm and with a lovely sweet scent of black tea. Impossible to resist, despite our mainly wheat-free diet. The cakes were as always a treat.

Looking back

Here's a random list of things we have received during our stay here: Dried squid to be used as a sake cup, fermented soybeans aka natto, Scarfs, textile xmas decoration for the wall, cakes meant for tea ceremony, chop sticks, candle in the shape of a Daruma doll, Ceramic figurine, a full tempura and udon meal served at dinner time, jewelry made of bamboo, marinated pork, fresh ginko nuts, green tea coated soy beans, tofu muffins widely known as tofuffins, branches of fresh edamame, ikebana decorations, cell phone straps, fans, eco bags, chatecs with japanese flower print, lip balm, peaches, apples, pears, melons and strawberries, corn, cucumbers and beets, rice crackers, sake, lacquer box, freshly harvested brown and white rice, homemade umeboshi, pickles, homemade yoghurt and a sponge made of seaweed to name a few....

Of cause it's expected that one returns the kindness of a gift, with another gift at first coming opportunity, which gives us a wonderful chance to share Denmark with our friends and acquaintances here.

Hopefully the joy of giving and exchanging cultures is one we succeed in bringing with us and practice also outside Japan.