By Hank F. Miller Jr.
The Coming-of-Age Day, seijin-no-hi, is officially recognized social ceremony when adolescents enter the circle of adults. Under Japanese Civil Law Act, those who reach the age of 20 are considered \”adults,\” and those who marry before the age of twenty are considered \”adults\” as well. The Coming-of-Age Day was established as January 15th under Law no.178 \”The National Holiday Act\” on July 23, 1948, the 23rd year of Showa, as a day congratulating those who reach twenty years of age and thus legally able to enter society with full civil rights and duties. But, the day was changed as the 2nd Monday of January from 2000 as the \”The National Holiday Act\” was amended.
The ceremony of \”genpuku,\”an old-style ceremony of assuming manhood, had been held from the era of the Emperor Tenmu
(673-686 A.D.).In such ceremonies, young people from the imperial and noble families would change their child-like hairstyles to that of wearing noble headgear around the age of 15. This ceremony was called \” kakan-no-gi,\”or headgear wearing ceremony. Today, each city, town and village holds a congratulatory ceremony, or ceremony of \”Coming-of-age,\” for those who turn twenty years old. This particular day is a national holiday, and new \”adults\” can be seen dressed-up at various places beginning in the morning.
Though western attire is gradually rising in popularity, traditional Japanese wear, such as kimonos are worn by ladies, are just like
Works of art. And hakamas are worn by men.
My Daughter won\’t be making the coming -of-age day ceremony due to being at Portland State University, in Portland, Oregon.
Warm Regards from Kitakyushu City, Japan
Hank F. Miller Jr.
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