Seijin no hi (成人の日)

January 13th, 2009

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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.

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Foreigners celebrate seijin no hi too! ^^.

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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. ^^.

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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.

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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. ^^.

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11 Responses to “Seijin no hi (成人の日)”

  1. Mike says:

    Nice photo of kiss. I got one a little like that once down in Odaiba. I was shooting the bridge, and when I zoomed in on the image later, I saw couples sitting along the riverbank, a pair of them locked up ^^

    Mike´s last blog post..How to make people Angry

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  2. Soshi says:

    The last photo is a really good one! :D Awesome timing!

    Soshi´s last blog post..Goodsmile Company’s 1/8 Hatsune Miku

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  3. bk201 says:

    STALKER!!!
    Perfect shot however!

    bk201´s last blog post..Sea Kitten?

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  4. Neil Duckett says:

    It is a great shot Ken, nice work.

    Neil Duckett´s last blog post..Seijin No Hi

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  5. Kevin says:

    First of all, nice photo.

    OMG, Japanese people kissing on the street!! In public…
    What’s happening to Japanese society?!?! The nerve!
    (tongue planted firmly in cheek)

    Reply

  6. Kazearashi says:

    Cute girl is cute :D I want to see girls with kimono too… ;_; More picture please… xD

    Kazearashi´s last blog post..First Loot of 2009

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  7. gordon says:

    over here, guys celebrate their coming-of-age by being conscripted into the army. yeah!

    gordon´s last blog post..gordonator.com Survived it’s First Year

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  8. Justin says:

    You are the new Doisneau ^^

    Reply

  9. Sam says:

    KEN! Great photos man, I have been reading your site since we met at Danny’s blog party thing (and past the Youtube live event too) :D

    Dude, I don’t see a “contact me” part on your page, was just leaving a comment to tell you I’m going to be in Tokyo this weekend if you wanna hang out for a bit. You stay classy playa ;)

    -Sam

    Reply

  10. mei says:

    woowww..kissing on the street^^, it’s something forbidden here..haha

    nice shots ken =)

    Reply

  11. Alan Arqueza says:

    Great photo! They will cherish that moment.

    Reply

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