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Kimono

Every year on November 15, Japan celebrates Shichi-Go-San--Children's Day. Dressed in their very finest garments, girls and boys aged three, boys aged five, and girls aged seven, go with their families to nearby shrines, where they line up, sometimes for hours, to await their turn to be blessed by the presiding priest. After the blessing, the child is presented with a gift of long sticks of candy called chitose-ame, "thousand year sweets," wrapped in ornate bags decorated with cranes and turtles, both symbols of longevity.

Every year on November 15, Japan celebrates Shichi-Go-San--Children's Day. Dressed in their very finest garments, girls and boys aged three, boys aged five, and girls aged seven, go with their families to nearby shrines, where they line up, sometimes for hours, to await their turn to be blessed by the presiding priest. After the blessing, the child is presented with a gift of long sticks of candy called chitose-ame, "thousand year sweets," wrapped in ornate bags decorated with cranes and turtles, both symbols of longevity.

Every year on November 15, Japan celebrates Shichi-Go-San--Children's Day. Dressed in their very finest garments, girls and boys aged three, boys aged five, and girls aged seven, go with their families to nearby shrines, where they line up, sometimes for hours, to await their turn to be blessed by the presiding priest. After the blessing, the child is presented with a gift of long sticks of candy called chitose-ame, "thousand year sweets," wrapped in ornate bags decorated with cranes and turtles, both symbols of longevity. Each year, on the 15th of January, Japan celebrates Coming of Age Day. On this occasion, dressed in their most elaborate finery, young men and women who turned 20 years old during the previous year attend ceremonies to hear dignitaries offer their wisdom on the privileges and responsibilities of adult life. Although most women dress in contemporary clothing, many women still hold to the tradition of dressing in kimono for everyday wear. Sanja Matsuri is one of Tokyo's liveliest and most widely-attended festivals. Literally translated as three noble men, Sanja Matsuri is sponsored by Sensoji Temple, Tokyo's oldest, in honor of two fishermen who pulled a golden statue of the Kanon Buddha out of the Sumida River in 628 A.D., and the town nobleman who constructed a temple to house it. More than two million people turn out to watch the parade, which features 100 portable omikoshi shrines carried on the shoulders of strapping young marchers, along with musicians, dancers, tattooed men in loincloths and geisha dressed in dazzling kimono.

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  • Image © 2002 Robert George
A story told with photos.

Published on 12/23/02

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Comments [1]

Incorrect and cliched

Contributor: gozzy [17] 7/12/07

1 of 1 people found this comment helpful.

Shichi-go-san and Children's day are two different events, the latter being held in May and forming part of the Golden Week holidays. As for "many" women choosing to wear kimono - that is pushing the facts a little far (with help from some gross stereotyping). Lots of "daily" kimono wearers wear kimono for work purposes. Beautiful photos, however, extremely cliched commentary.

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