Bell-Bottom Jeans Day
OtherWhat Is Bell-Bottom Jeans Day?
December 31 is "Bell-Bottom Jeans Day" in Japan. It was established by the CIAO Listeners' Association, based in Osaka, a group formed by listeners of the radio program "CIAO765" on FM COCOLO.
Born from a Radio DJ's Remark
The origin of the date is unusual: it came from a comment by Nomura Masao, a radio DJ on the program and a well-known devotee of bell-bottom jeans. His remark struck a chord with listeners, who turned it into a registered anniversary.
- Established by: the CIAO Listeners' Association, formed by listeners of "CIAO765"
- Trigger: a remark by radio DJ Nomura Masao on air
- Reasoning for the date: New Year's Eve is the last day of the year -- the "bottom" -- and the night the joya no kane temple bells ring
- The wish behind it: that more people discover how good bell-bottoms look, and that the ranks of fans grow
A Double Pun on "Bottom" and "Bell"
The end of the year is the bottom; the temple bells are the bell. Stack the two and you arrive at "bell-bottom." Among Japanese anniversaries, which usually rest on number puns, this two-layer play on meaning is a rare type.
Tips for Marking This Day
- Dig out the jeans at the back of the closet
- Read up on the era when bell-bottoms were in fashion
- Pick a silhouette you do not normally wear for New Year's Eve
- Recall where this day came from as you listen to the bells
How Wordplay Becomes an Anniversary
A single line on the radio resonated, and listeners registered it as an anniversary. That path is very much in keeping with the day itself -- a pleasant thing to remember on the last night of the year, with the bells sounding.