成人式 Seijinshiki: Coming of Age in Japan

お正月と成人式

January has two big events in Japan . new year’s day and coming of age. Becoming the age of 20 in Japan means he/she is an adult who have right to vote and drink alcohol.   Coming of age is celebrated second Monday and every city and town hold a ceremony.

Most young men wear nice suits and tie and just some wear kimono. Most of all young women wear kimono which is traditional folk costume made of silk. On this day  young girls of age 20 realize where they come from because most of them wear folk costume.  Koreans wear Korean folk costumes and Chinese wear Chinese.  Every folk costume has its own pride and beauty. I love that!

I remember when I became 20 and I wore kimono,  I thought, “How beautiful kimono is ! What a beautiful dress we have had! I am so happy to wear such a beautiful Japanese tradition.” I had never been proud of Japanese before but  when I wore firisode for the first time I realized that I am Japanese.  I felt a weight of silk  and tradition.

Especially kimono for unmarried women is called furisode, which is the most formal and very long sleeves is used plenty of colors and gold , silver threaded, embroidered hand and motifs of beautiful flowers or symbols of good luck such as pine tree,  cranes and many more.

They have their hair up in order to look well with  kimono neckline. They booked the salon almost 6 month or one year before, because a beauty salon is very crowded.

Every city and  town hold ceremony and young people of age 20 gather one place.It is just like a big reunion party. Also like a spring flower field willed with beauty and energy.

The prices of furisode are varies but most of  parents willing to spend for their daughters. They like to see their daughters in beautiful folk wear. Some parents think spending more for kimono means they love more. Other parents think they don’t have to spend much money for a day and that they let their daughter rent kimono. If you are in Japan on this day, you will see young ladies in beautiful kimono everywhere.

I miss my younger days!

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