Happiness
by Yukari Tajiri
In daily life, we can see various situations which are full of happiness. When people face these situations, people express the feeling of happiness by using their faces and voices, making gestures and behaving in special ways. Some of them are completely different in each country. These differences are sometimes interesting. Japanese also have their own ways of expressing happiness.
In Japan, there are various kinds of wedding ceremonies. When they get married, not only the couple but all the people feel happy!! However, Japan has a peculiar traditional wedding style:
Both the bride and groom contract their faces, and keep their lips straight. They drink a cup of sake, keeping silent. During the ceremony, no one laughs happily or talks loudly.
When people celebrate something such as a birthday, a promotion, a welcoming and so on, people often give gifts to the people whom they celebrate.
When Japanese give gifts, they often don’t hand the gifts to people right away, and what’s more, their attitudes are diffident. The people who take the gifts acknowledge them, but may not open the packages immediately. Some people take the gifts away without opening them.
When people win a game such as baseball, soccer and so on, or graduate, they are moved. They feel happy and are grateful to someone for kindness or helping, so they toss them into the air. They smile with tears of emotion in their eyes, and put an arm around the person’s shoulder.
 
There are many kinds of festival in Japan. The purpose of each festival is different, however, festivals excite most people. In Japan, people call festivals “Matsuri.” People wear happi (festival jacket) or yukata 'cotton kimono', and wrap hachimaki (head band) around their heads. They have uchiwa (flat fan) or chochin (paper lantern) in their hands. They often shout out. Some people tap rhythm with their hands, and wave a flag or an uchiwa.
When people run in an election and win the election, they rejoice and congratulate each other at the news. They are all smiles. They shake each other. They raise their arms and shout “Banza-i” three times.
In conclusion, we can see that when people feel happy, people express their happiness. Japanese are unique and funny. These ways of expressions are a part of each culture, so we will be able to understand other cultures by knowing various kinds of expressions. If you have a chance to spend time with people from other cultures, please try to watch them carefully.
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