One of the best things about traveling and living in countries around the world, is having the opportunity to not only learn about the many cultures, but to experience them firsthand, and be a part of the many traditional celebrations. This past Monday was Japan’s Coming of Age Day {成人の日 Seijin no Hi}, and we had such a wonderful time walking the streets of Tokorozawa Japan, admiring the gorgeous Kimonos and intricate updos. Coming of Age Day was first established in 1948, with the holiday being celebrated on January 15th of every year. It was in the year 2000 that the holiday was changed to the 2nd Monday of January. Apparently a young Prince dressed up in extravagant, new traditional robes and donned a new hairdo to celebrate his passage into adulthood way back in 714 AD, which sparked a tradition that young men and women look forward to as they enter into adulthood.
Young women dress in exquisite, furisode Kimonos that are a special type of Kimono with distinctive long sleeves, signifying that a young woman is unmarried, and more significantly when worn on Coming of Age Day, it presents her as of age, marriage material. The Furisode Kimonos are often far too expensive to buy for the occasion. The woman will typically wear a Kimono that has been passed through the family, borrow one from a friend or family member, or rent one for up to (or exceeding) a whopping 80, 000 yen — over $1,000!! And regardless of your country or culture, all women know that ever outfit needs the perfect pair of shoes, so of course no Kimono would be complete with out the traditional thonged Japanese zōri sandals. We enjoyed the day admiring the different silk prints and hairstyles that seemed to be how each young woman was really able to express her personality.
The men participate as well, but were few and far between, and simply a lot less obvious, as many now don westernized suits as opposed to the traditional male Kimono with Hakama. We were excited to find a few young men who took part in the traditional wear, but I think they were just as excited to take a picture with my husband who was playing basketball for a local team here in Japan, the Saitama Broncos. I took a ton of pictures and couldn’t wait to share them with all of our Happy Hour Moms out there. Hope you enjoy!
Check out the Japanese zōri sandals
Check out the detail in that do!
Boys...to...Men!
Co-Founder/CEO of HappyHourMom.com, Freelancer, Internet Marketing Consultant, and Social Media lover. Wife to an amazing husband, mom to two beautiful little girls, and follower of Jesus Christ. I am a Happy Hour Mom…are you?
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