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In Japan, Oshidan Let Fans Idolize Their Idols
Do you have an idol you worship? Buy an oshidan and take your worship even further.
By Ebony Brown
Traditionally, people in Japan have used butsudan, or Buddhist altars, to remember their loved ones. But as Japan’s population dwindles, the butsudan business has fallen on hard times. Now, a new product targeting a younger generation is giving the struggling death altar business a boost.
The rise of oshi
If you are an old fogey like me, you may be wondering: what is an oshi? Oshi is the word Japanese superfans use to refer to their favorite artist, idol, actor, sports player, or whoever else they’ve decided is their number one.
During the world health crisis, face-to-face meetings became less frequent and people needed social interaction. They turned to fan culture. Supporting their fave gave them an outlet and a way to connect with other people online.
The word 推し (oshi) comes from the first kanji in 推薦 suisen, which means recommendation, and on its own means to push. Fans recommend and push their favorites to success with their efforts. It became firmly rooted…
