Coming of Age Day in Japan

Japan's national holiday - the day of age, celebrated in Tokyo. Traditionally, it is celebrated on the second Monday of January. On this day, they are invited to regional and municipal management, where heads of administrations give them instruction in "how to behave in their adult life." Majority in Japan reached the age of 20 years from now the locals have the right to vote, to purchase and drink alcoholic beverages, do real estate transactions and more, which was not allowed before.





In Japan, the majority say the person who last year celebrated its 20th anniversary.



Until the middle of the XIX century, Japanese girls and boys become adults at different times.



Before using the older girls for the first time put on a kimono adult cut, black teeth, shaved eyebrows.



Boys shaved curls over the forehead and braided pigtail (eboshi, haircut adult male). At the same time he changed the name of the child to the adult.



This ceremony is called Mogi. At the end of the boys and girls are considered adults and are able to marry.



Since 1876 the age of majority was set by the Japanese government in 20 years, though the official holiday was established in 1948 and until 2000 was celebrated on January 15th.



Since 2000, it was moved to the second Monday of January, giving, thus, three days off in a row.



The heads of local administrations to this day hold seydzin Sica - an official ceremony for the newly-adult. She boys and girls congratulate the politicians and local celebrities who pronounced parting speech, reminiscent of civic duty, of new rights and obligations and give gifts.



Traditionally, the 20-year celebrants go to the temple, where they pray to the gods and make wishes. In the Meiji Shrine in their honor arranged momote Shiki - ritual archers, who opened two priests dressed in white. They allowed two blunt arrows in flight emits a whistle. After their release the arrow clearly dressed archers.



After all the ceremonies, rituals and lectures for students, the celebration culminates in bars, restaurants or karaoke.



But this year, some of the girls decided to celebrate Tokyo
entry into adulthood in Disneyland.



Celebrates its age Japanese kimono dress expensive winter special cut with long sleeves - FURISODE.



Other components of the costume - fur cape, obi, which is tied a particular node, the traditional zori slippers and a small bag, which contains the perfume and cosmetics.



Expenses for this outfit comparable to buying a new car, so prepare for the feast begin in a few years, or take the kimono rental.



Boys on this day clothed in a European suit, either in traditionally male kimono jacket haori.



Because of the current Western-style clothes in Japan virtually forced out of the traditional daily use, then bought a kimono then hardly used. In many families it is inherited.



Even 20-30 years ago, this ritual evoked sharp rejection of the young, among whom at that time were very popular leftist ideas, and everything that comes from the government, without exception, was perceived as a "reactionary."



According to the memoirs of contemporaries, in those days the young people who dared to come to the party in the municipal offices were ridiculed and ostracized.



In the cities, the number of participants in the official ceremony was negligible, but in rural areas the tradition (and discipline) have been tightened.



Today, the majority of the Japanese population rather apolitical and free from any kind of ideology was, and this festival has become the overwhelming majority in an extra day off.



Perhaps directly involved in the celebration of majority are young girls who have attained the age of 20. For them it is an occasion to show off, going with her friends to the district council and back in a beautiful traditional dress.



Since the festival is held in mid-January, when Tokyo is pretty cool, in the last few years, especially among girls became fashionable to wear on the shoulders of the kimono top luxury fur coats.



Source: bigpicture.ru