| What is "Chugen (or Ochugen)"? |
 |
The word of "Chugen" is from Taoism.
In the Taoism, there are three events in one year.
1st is called "Jogen". 2nd is called "Chugen". 3rd
is called "Kagen". |
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The "Chugen"
was performed around 15th July (on the lunar calendar).
Originally, "chugen" was an event praying to the god
to expiate people's sin. People gave a votive offering
and prayed god. |
| July 15 (on the lunar
calendar) is also the day of Bon Festival (Urabone)
of the Buddhism . The event in the taoism on July
15 spread to Japan, and was mixed with the event of
Buddhism. |
| |
People came to distribute the gift to
the vicinity and the close relative. (That present
was originally the one offered to the dead at Bon
Festival.) |
| |
Afterwards, in Japan, "the chugen ceremony" has
changed into the custom of doing the present to an
indebted person. The package like this image is used
for the present of "Chugen". |
 |
| |
We call this package "noshi" or "noshigami"
in Japanese.
The title of Ochugen
is written on upper half of this package. And,
a presenter's name is written on lower half of this
one.
|
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| To whom is the Ochugen presented? |
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Generally, we send Ochugen (Midyear
present) to the following list. |
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(1)The relative. (2)The Nakoudo (matchmaker).
(3)The physicians or doctor in charge. (4)The teacher
at each learning. (5)The superior and the customer
in the company etc. . |
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If you judge from your idea you were
not especially indebted from them, it is not necessary
to present Ochugen to the superior in the company
and the teacher at the school. |
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|
| When is the Ochugen presented? |
| |
In modern days, most people do not present
Ochugen on 15th July of the old calendar.
The greater part of people will present Ochugen by
July 1st to July 15th on the solar calendar. |
| |
That gift becomes a name of "Shochumimai"
or "Shochuoukagai" between about July 16 and about
August 8. This name means that we prays for other
party's health in the hot season. August 8 is the
beginning day of autumn in the traditional Japanese
calendar. |
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| What goods are presented to the Ochugen(Midyear
present)? |
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Today, it is popular to present the
Sanchokuhin. Do you know the word of sanchokuhin?
It is the word meaning "Commodity or goods that will
be sent directly from the producer or production's
shop or production's factory". We call "sanchokuhin"
or "sanchichokusouhin" about them. |
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In sanchokuhin, we select
the commodity with the local speciality, or goods
with something special and wonderful charm.
In other ideas, it seems that a preference beverage
such as the beer, beverage and coffee and practical
goods such as the seasoning, the washing detergent
and soap are good. |
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Please decide the present in consideration
of other party's favor and family structure. |
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| How much is the budget of this present? |
| |
There is a gift of the rank (2000,3000,5000,
10000, and 20000 yen) around about 3000 yen. The budget
of Ochugen is decided according to the level of association
with the other party. |
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