Coming of Age Day
Tomorrow I have a day off work because it is a national holiday in Japan - Coming of Age Day (Seijin no Hi). It celebrates becoming a legal adult, which is at age 20 in Japan (changing to age 18 in 2022). The holiday is observed the second Monday in January, under the Happy Monday system. Until 1999, it was celebrated on January 15th. In most years it is celebrated first with a ceremony at the city hall, with everyone dressed to the nines. Women wear colorful (rented) kimonos with long sleeves and elaborate hair styles and accessories. Many men wear suits, but some wear traditional Japanese wear. It is a time to meet up with school friends and to drink alcohol for the first time (or maybe not the first time).
In my area, the ceremony is virtual this year because of the pandemic. I don't know about the parties and kimonos this year.
This photo was taken when I lived in Hokkaido. Twenty year olds celebrate, no matter what the weather.
2 comments:
Some years snow has been an obstacle for the ceremony in Tokyo, although Hokkaido and the West Coast of Japan struggle with heavy snowfall every year.
THIS year the whole nation must face the obstacle of the Corona Pandemic. I am sure many municipalities are planning to have a ceremony later in the year.
Anyway, to all those who become 20 during 2021, Welcome to The World of Grown Ups, and its rights and responsibilities.
I hope everyone still had fun this year, even though it surely was different from what they had imagined!
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