Bōnenkai
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A bōnenkai (忘年会 literally "forget the year gathering") is a Japanese drinking party that takes place at the end of the year, and is generally held among groups of co-workers or friends.[1][2] The purpose of the party, as its name implies, is to forget the woes and troubles of the past year, and hopefully look to the new year, usually by consumption of large amounts of alcohol. A bōnenkai does not take place on any specific day, but they are usually held in December.[1]
Bōnenka' are observed by parties of friends or co-workers or sponsored by a company or business office for their employees. Bōnenkai are not part of the New Year shogatsucelebration which lasts until 3 January; they are instead a way of ending the year through a group celebration.[3] This tradition started in the 15th century during the Muromachiperiod as gatherings to express one's thanks for each other. At that time, the party was known as noukai (achieved a great thing party). Later on, in the 18th century, a new word was appearing in writings and was since then was known as a bōnenkai or year-end party.[4]
Although the Japanese have always been a people of great feeling and emotion as in the expression mono no aware, they are more reserved in expressing their feelings to others so the bōnenkai has been a way of showing public displays of gratitude. This is especially true for the company or business office bōnenkai where they can do bureiko or let their hair down and not worry about the boss/employee formal relationship or the rank and age divisions and have a good time.[5]
When a business decides to have a bōnenkai, they take into account several things before planning a party. Some of their concerns are to ensure that enough of the employees and management will attend. They also try to set a generalized cost of no more than 5,000 yen per person; this is used to cover the cost of the party and to not discourage employees from attending a party that is too expensive.[5] Some companies pay the entire cost of the party and will at times opt to not have the party at a traditional izakaya(restaurant and drinking places where the majority of bōnenkai are held) and instead have it on the business premises and save a lot of money in the process.[5]