Some photos of Oura Cathedral in Nagasaki, Japan, decorated for Christmas throughout the years. https://x.com/TheChurchInAsia/status/1864391725399015614
Discussion
Sorry for the late reply!
My original blog post is a technical article about a new Nostr client and has nothing to do with the Advent calendar in the Christian tradition.
In Japan, programmers have a unique culture where we use the term 'Advent Calendar' to refer to writing one blog post each day in December. This practice is completely detached from its original religious background, so I understand why it might feel strange. Here, Advent Calendars are seen more as a fun, month-long event unrelated to Christianity.
Of course, in school, we learn about Japan's religious history, such as the Shimabara Rebellion, and there are indeed devout Christians in Japan. However, Christians make up only about 1–2% of the population, and many Japanese people don’t know much about Christianity. As a result, some people might not even realize that the term 'Advent Calendar' originates from a Christian tradition.
My turn to apologize for taking a while to reply.
Regarding your client Nostr, can you detail the benefits and setbacks on the language you used to write it and the functionalities it will offer?
I would like to test it on my end, if possible.
Regarding the replies both of you wrote concerning the Christian culture in Japan, you have confirmed some suspicion I had had for a while.
How detached from the origins Christmas is in Japan.
However, I also see changes happening as the numbers of Catholics in Japan is growing. I am not sure how much of South Korea's influence is to be credited on that regard.
Processions and broadcasting of Catholic devotions and solemnities have been happening in growing number in Japan.
God is always good.
I want to visit Japan across the Catholic heritage sites.
Did you know Eiji Tsuburaya the creator of Ultraman and Godzilla) died as a Catholic?
You can read it here:
or here:
https://nostter.app/nevent1qqsp0udclj7qapl9lsfl90vn3ahl33kuycg8wsjatdxjxl325erd3gczgxjuz
And an additional piece of information was presented to me today, by a Japanese lady.
I would like to share it with you guys:
I also learned about the Shimabara Rebellion as an important part of Japanese history. I think most Japanese adults know that Christians were oppressed during the isolationist policy in the Edo period.
Although the number of Christians is small today, there are churches all over Japan and masses are held there. I have a friend who is Catholic, and my mother-in-law is Protestant.