The symbol of the coming year inspired Japanese fashion enthusiasts to give each other red underwear
As reported by Novye Izvestia, on the eve of the New Year holidays, red underpants are in high demand in Japanese stores. Elegant and not so, erotic women's and "family" men's, but always red – all are given with wishes for success in the future. This is how the Japanese celebrate the arrival of the Year of the Red Monkey. They say, since this animal's, pardon, behind is red, so people should not lag behind.
It is futile to look for a contrast or inconsistency with the existence in Japan of Shinto shrines dedicated to the monkey or adorned with its statue. It is simply the attitude here towards this animal: one can certainly worship it, but it is also not forbidden to treat it with a sense of humor.
The Japanese macaque, also called the snow monkey, has long become a kind of symbol of the Land of the Rising Sun – much like the bear for Russia or the bald eagle for the USA. Representatives of this northernmost species of monkeys, warming themselves in onsen (hot springs that gush from the ground, of which there are many), are often depicted on postcards dedicated to Japan. Some tourists visiting onsen where macaques are present even get into the water to take photos, greatly surprising and even frightening the Japanese: of course, a monkey is not a tiger, but neither is it a rabbit, and the sterility of such bodies of water is clearly lacking.
However, most often you encounter this animal not in the water, but at the door of your own home. During my years living in Japan, I have more than once seen overturned trays of bananas and oranges, next to them the owner of all this wealth scratching his head, a policeman deciding what to do, and laughing onlookers repeating the word "saru" – monkey, that is.
As in India and Thailand, in Japan it is not uncommon for our smaller tailed brothers to approach humans and commit various misdeeds – they hunt for food in vegetable shops, and even snatch bags from passersby. In search of trophies, monkeys sometimes go far – not only figuratively, but also literally. Thus, 10 years ago, a macaque terrorized the Tokyo subway. It settled not just anywhere, but in Shibuya, one of the central stations of the city. With great difficulty, the prankster was caught.
It is forbidden to touch a monkey if it is not attacking you, under threat of a fine. Even the police can only drive the animal away without harming it. Ecological rules are strict here. Therefore, only special services are allowed to catch a rampaging macaque. Others have to remember their school years, lessons that instructed how to behave in cases of various dangers – earthquakes, volcanoes, attacks by a maniac, or... an encounter with a monkey.
Actually, these recommendations are simple. If the monkey is close – stand still and don't move. If relatively far – shout and make noise. The monkey is a timid animal, maybe it will run away? These instructions are, of course, violated all the time, but cases of macaques biting people are not that many. Mostly, their victims are foreigners.
As for things stolen by a monkey, the Japanese take a philosophical view. It is believed that this animal carries away evil. Did a monkey steal your wallet? Think – perhaps your happiness is not in money?