Lagerstroemia Indica (Crape Myrtle) 百日紅（サルスベリ）

Japanese follows English. 英語の後に日本語が続きます。

These Lagerstroemia indica or crape myrtle fruits reminded me of chocolates, then Valentine's Day because in Japan WOMEN give chocolates to men they like. This very unique Japanese custom was originated by a Japanese confectionery company, followed by a big campaign by a Japanese department store in the 1950s. Since then, the custom has become so popular that women not only give chocolates to their boyfriends or husbands but also were (or still are) pressured to give chocolates ("obligation chocolates") to their male colleagues or bosses.   

If you feel sorry for Japanese women, however, you're wrong!😆 Japan has another big day called "White Day" on March 14. White Day was created by the Japanese National Confectionery Industry Association in the 1980s. On White Day, initially, men were expected to return the favor with marshmallows, but things change. White Day is now the day men return the favor to women non-reciprocally, i.e., gifting them something worth more than the chocolates they received on Valentine's Day! Naturally, Japanese men no longer want obligation chocolates on February 14😱. 

The Japanese Valentine's Day custom has been further evolving to the stage where people take every opportunity to give chocolates to their friends (friend chocolates), to their girlfriends or wives (called "opposite chocolates," which is actually not opposite!), or to themselves (self chocolates). I'm wondering if someone will give me chocolates or I myself should buy some for myself....  

Lagerstroemia indica　百日紅

Crape myrtle　サルスベリ

  

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百日紅（サルスベリ）の実です。チョコみたいですね。義理チョコとは縁がありませんが、自分にはおいしいチョコがほしいな～😋。

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