Kimono

by Robert George, Dec 23, 2002 | Destinations: Japan / Tokyo
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.

A story told with photos.

More From This Author

Hagoita

Japan
Robert George<br>Text by Celeste Heiter
The Tokyo district of Rygoku is home of one of Japan's most famous Sumo wrestling facilities. Sumo wrestlers train very strenuously for their six annual basho tournaments, and must consume up to 10,000 calories a day to achieve and maintain their enormous stature. When they're not in training however, they can be seen strolling the city sidewalks wearing blue and white cotton robes called yukata.

Sumo

Japan
Robert George
The water is coldGive me strength to endure itAs I purge myselfOn the second Sunday of the New Year, wearing nothing more than loincloths called shitaobi and headbands called hachimaki, many Japanese men brave the icy waters of Teppozu Inari Jinja, a Shinto shrine in central Tokyo, to practice a yearly purification ritual.

Japanese Expressions II

Japan
Robert George<br>Haiku by Celeste Heiter
In Japan, children are treated with the utmost care and attention. The literacy rate in Japan ranks among the world's highest, and the infant mortality rate is among the lowest. Despite its population density and astronomical cost of living, Japan provides excellent 'quality of life' for its children.

A Child's Life - Japan

Japan
Robert George
About ThingsAsian

ThingsAsian is an Asia travel website with stories contributed by a worldwide community. Although we cover a wide range of topics, our emphasis is on art, culture, history and travel. Our writers, photographers and contributors are real people who tell you the stories of their personal travels and experiences. Some of the countries we currently cover are Burma, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Email: info@thingsasian.com

© 1994-2015 Global Directions, Inc. All Rights Reserved.