kenleewrites in 日本

The first long weekend of the year in Japan (besides the New Year holidays) comes in the second week of January. The second Monday in January is a public holiday. It’s 成人の日 (seijin no hi), the coming-of-age day for Japanese youths! That’s when you say sayonara to your innocent teenage days and konnichiwa to the start of your happening adult life at 20. 成人式 (Coming-of-age ceremonies) are arranged by local prefectural governments for the young adults. If you’re 20 and live in Chiba, that means a free ticket to Disneyland! There are some perks to living in Chiba. ^^.

This is what Wikipedia had to say about current practices.

The age of majority in Japan is 20. The seijin shiki covers all those who will reach this age during the current school year, which runs between April and the following March. The ceremony is generally held in the morning at local city offices and all young adults who maintain residency in the area are invited to attend. Government officials give speeches, and small presents are handed out to the new adults.
Many women celebrate this day by wearing a furisode (振袖) (a style of kimono with long sleeves that drape down). Since most are unable to put on a kimono by themselves due to the intricacies involved in putting one on, many choose to visit a beauty salon to dress and to set their hair. A full set of formal clothing is expensive, so it is usually either inherited or rented rather than being bought specially for the occasion. Men sometimes also wear traditional dress (dark kimono with hakama).
After the ceremony, the young adults often gather in groups and go to parties or go out drinking. Young women not used to wearing the zori slippers (草履 zōri) can often be seen limping as the afternoon wears on and evening approaches. Later in the evening, it is not unusual to see wobbly young adults staggering in the trains, heading home after a day of celebration.

I just like seeing girls in kimonos and fluffy scarfs. ^^. All you have to do is ask politely if you want a photo.

Foreigners celebrate seijin no hi too! ^^.

I didn’t go anywhere special. Just hung around Shibuya station. There was an event going on today and parts of the roads were closed off. More about that later. ^^.

The photo below is my favourite “seijin no hi” photo. I think this photo captures an essence of seijin no hi that can’t be described in words. Don’t you? ^^. This shot wasn’t intentional; I didn’t stalk them and quietly sang “Kiss the Girl” (I love that song btw. lol). I was framing for a “couple hanging around chatting” kinda shot. They plain ambushed me.

Just as I pressed the shutter, they surprised me and locked lips! I saw them just about to kiss, just as my viewfinder went black. One of those split second moments that will always replay in slow motion in my memory. Really like this photo. ^^.

Related posts... maybe:

1. Dondo Yaki (どんど焼き)
2. Japanese Graduations: Spring 2009
3. Graduations in Japan
4. Merry Christmas
5. The night with the orange crescent

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Tags: shibuya, tokyo

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