Hyadain -- Christmas? Nani Sore? Oishii no?（クリスマス?なにそれ?美味しいの?）

Valentine's Day, Halloween and Christmas are the non-native holidays that most Japanese have embraced like a cute teddy bear. As any person who has spent a Xmas in Japan would know, the religious aspect of the holiday is largely absent while pop cultural parts of December 25th such as Santa Claus and Xmas trees are the most visible elements. Of course, as with a lot of imported pop culture into Japan, the Xmas traditions have been given their own J-twist: Kentucky Fried Chicken being the go-to choice for family dinners on the day, original J-Xmas tunes which are well represented here on "Kayo Kyoku Plus", and the fact that the Yuletide in Japan is basically a second romantic holiday several months after Valentine's Day. February 14th is the day of courtship and kokuhaku but December 25th (or the 24th) represents the furthering of the relationship (although it is still a regular working day).

Yup, reservations at the establishments of fine dining and accommodations are booked solid in Tokyo on those days as couples celebrate their happiness. But what of those folks who have never been that lucky in love during Xmas? No strolls down Omotesando, no sharing of a cocktail through two straws and no clinking of champagne glasses over a candle on a table fit for two. Instead, it's the usual trip to the convenience store for a Cup O'Noodles or karaage bento perhaps with a can of beer or Calpis.

For those folks (and me), I think I have just the J-Xmas song for you. Came across it by accident on YouTube several days ago, and it seems to be just the tonic against all those gleeful Christmas tunes that might get a bit treacly over time. This would be "Christmas? Nani Sore? Oishii no?" by singer Hyadain（ヒャダイン）. Now, I know the official translation of the song is "Xmas? I Don't Know Such A Thing" as shown at the beginning of the hijinks. However, in keeping with the snarky nature of the song, I would like to translate it as "Christmas? What The Hell Is That? Is It Tasty?"

Hyadain is actually the singing moniker for musician-songwriter Kenichi Maeyamada（前山田健一）. If that real name sounds familiar, then you are probably an anime fan since he's been responsible for creating a number of anison. The list on him here includes the high-speed "Nippon Egao Hyakkei"（ニッポン笑顔百景）which was the ending theme for one of my favourite anime "Joshiraku"（じょしらく）, and Hiroko Moriguchi's（森口博子）"Hoshi yori Saki ni Mitsukete Ageru"（星より先に見つけてあげる）that served as the atypical ending theme for "One-Punch Man".

He not only created and performed the song but also starred in the video as a hilariously embittered lad once again having to spend another Xmas by himself. However, he shares his unenviable fate in epic fashion through dance and song with the help of the clever lyric of "Single Hell, Single Hell" and a shoutout to some of the most famous English-language Christmas songs including "Jingle Bells" and "Joy To The World". I can guarantee that there is no joy in Hyadain's world.

"Christmas? Nani Sore? Oishii no?" came out in November 2011 as his 3rd single. It managed to get as high as No. 49. Meanwhile, it also got onto first BEST compilation "20112012" released a year later. That peaked at No. 24.

Now if you'll excuse me, I will be preparing to catch the annual Christmas special of "Doctor Who" on the 25th.