Seijin no hi translated as “Coming of Age Day” or “Adults Day” is a Japanese public holiday that occurs annually on every second Monday of January. The holiday honors every person that turned 20 years old over the previous year.
In Japan, when a person reaches twenty years of age they are officially recognized as adults (although voting age is 18 years old). Upon turning 20 years old a Japanese is responsible for their actions to society as an adult. They are legally able to buy alcohol and cigarettes, drink in clubs, go to hostess bars, gamble, and drive an automobile.
In America, although we have no official “coming of age” public holiday, young Americans also celebrate becoming a legal adult when they become 21 years old. Usually, the American celebration is a gathering of friends for a night on the town for fun and partying with lots of alcohol and good times. Some bars will even give you a free drink on your 21st birthday.
In Japan, coming of age day is celebrated more formally. After all, seijin no hi is a tradition that has at least a 200 year history in Japan. It is the formal welcome extended to Japanese young adults as they become contributing members to Japanese society. The holiday itself is a joyous celebration and is visually spectacular to behold.
The new adults dress formally for the occasion. Women wear formal kimono and the men usually wear western style formal wear, although some may opt to wear a formal men’s kimono with hakama. The exquisite kimonos worn by the young women are very elaborate. Most young ladies rent these kimonos for the occasion because the cost of such beautiful kimono are very expensive to buy.
The seijin no hi ceremony begins with the local politicians of each ward holding a special coming of age ceremony. One of the largest ceremonies is held in Shibuya ward in Tokyo. The mayor and others will usually will speak to the young adults. The event is held before lunch time normally around 11:30. At the larger celebrations, there may be live performances or a live band after the occasion. It is not unusual to see television news crews covering the colorful celebration. Families accompany the 20 year olds to the location and everyone is present for the ceremony. There will be a lot of photographs taken to remember the day.
After the public ceremony, the 20 year olds and their family members usually make a visit to a Shinto shrine to pray for good fortune and health in the future for the new adult. The celebration than continues over lunch at an izakaya to celebrate with family over good food and of course, to drink! The family will take many pictures on this day to memorialize this important occasion.
After the family time, the fun may continue into the night with groups of friends to go out eating and drinking at a bar or nightclub to celebrate their new freedom. It is a fun evening because all the other 20 year olds will be out as well to celebrate.
You may want to ask your Japanese lady friend about her coming of age day. There are certainly going to be good memories to discuss and she may have some pictures to show you. If you have ever wondered what your Japanese girlfriend looks like in a traditional kimono there will most likely be photographs of that special day in her life. It may also be a good conversation to have with her parents when you meet them. They will surely have photo albums to show you and will remember the day fondly.
There will probably be a few funny stories to tell that will bring laughter along with the reminiscing over a few glasses of sake or bieru.
Want to marry a Japanese woman?
Talk with our professional matchmaker.
Try EM CLUB Today!
EM CLUB 2222 Kalakaua Ave Suite 700A Honolulu, HI 96815
Phone: (808) 926-0101
Email: info@emclub.jp
No comments:
Post a Comment