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Show f ft f ' :ftftftU,ft : L ';"-ilftift!::::H:iJ ;mmm:VBm ftftftft jliliiiil lllllll w if lclll:ll:ll;:lll.l!ll lililliilf iifllHI wiiisk Jiiii W:-BWMM' ,- ; :.: ftlift:..; ftftft'' ;fti:;-ftliftS'.ft m PSilft'llff1 flliilliillijg lsftftftftiiiiiftft! S ft ftlftfcfiiiiil If lllll;;.ll:l?''l wvflS'-iii-'flllliril ;:slllf ;5 liltfllftffti TOMOKO IZUMI Christmas in Japan Although Christmas is not the major winter celebraLion in Japan, Tomoko Izumi says the Japanese do put up a Christmas tree, exchange presents and enjoy a visit from Santa Claus. School children have a week holiday from school that ends with the more traditional New Year's celebration. 4 On Jan. 1, the girls and women dress in their traditional kimonos. A special buffet meal called "Ose-chi" "Ose-chi" is served. There are -visits to parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. Adults usually give children gifts of money, a symbol of success in the coming year. Most Japanese families visit a Shinto shrine sometime during the day to offer prayers. j |