In Western cultures, coming of age ceremonies or celebrations usually take place in the form of a debut. Lavish celebrations and formal ball-like parties are usually held for young adults turning 18 years old, especially for girls.
But in Japan, they have a different way of celebrating a coming of age event. Called Seijin No Hi it's a traditional Japanese holiday that usually commences on the second Monday of January every year. Japanese boys and girls who have turned 20 in the past year may participate in the celebration.
Seijin No Hi actually is a more modern version of Genpuku, an oler custom. During the 8th century, undergoing "Genpuku" means a child is now recognized by the society. They are officially gendered and can choose their own adult name. Seijin No Hi was later established in 1948.
In a "seijin-shiki", or the actual ceremony, Japanese women must wear a "furisode," a type of kimono with long sleeves. They usually don it with a fake fur scarf and for shoes, they wear the traditional zori sandals. Appropriate make-up and traditional hairstyle must also be enforced.
For men, they must wear a traditional kimono with a "hakama," traditional Japanese clothes that are worn by men during the early days of Japan.
Held in a local prefecture, a government official usually says a few things first before the official celebrations begin. Once a solemn and respected tradition, nowadays Seijin No Hi is often a wild affair.
It's because 20 years old is the legal age where the citizens can vote, drink alcohol and buy cigarettes. These are often the strong points now being celebrated, and participants usually end up being really drunk and causing a public ruckus. This is why police officers now usually guard these celebrations.
The older generation is actually really displeased about the outcome of Seijin No Hi. Older women usually frown upon the type of kimono girls wear nowadays, which are more revealing and similar to the kind of kimonos worn by prostitutes during the Edo Period.
For the most celebrants, however, the event is time for wild parties and binge drinking. Once a fruitful ceremony, may turn into a teenage party gone wild.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
