Matsuri 103 - 成人の日(Seijin no Hi)
Disclaimer: The sources I consulted provided contradictory information on the history behind Seijin no Hi. Therefore, you’ll have to pardon any inaccuracies despite my attempts to check my facts.
Imagine a Quinceañera, a Bar Mitzvah, or a sweet sixteen party like the ones on MTV combined with your twenty-first birthday celebration. Now imagine that you and all your classmates are having the party on the exact same day. This gigantic monumental soiree is what occurs on Seijin no Hi, or Coming-of-Age Day.
On the second Monday of January, those turning twenty in the current school year-between April of last year and the upcoming March-gather for the seijin shiki (coming-of-age ceremony) to celebrate their passage into adulthood. Turning twenty in Japan means that one is subject to the responsibilities and liberties of an adult. One can vote, drink, smoke, gamble, go to hostess bars, get a driver’s license, and marry without parental permission. The event is so big that Seijin no Hi is actually a national holiday.
History
Coming-of-age ceremonies have been present since at least the Heian Period (794-1185). They used to be known as genpuku for boys and mogi for girls. Although there wasn’t a specific age of adulthood, the ceremonies normally occurred during the early teenage years. The young women and men would get their first set of “adult” clothes and have make-up put on them.
Twenty became the official age of adulthood in 1876. After World War II, in 1948, Seijin no Hi became a national holiday. It was celebrated on January 15 until 1999 when the “Happy Monday” system was implemented to give workers a day off if a holiday fell on a weekend.
Seijin Shiki
Seijin shiki are local events so shin seijin (new adults) would often return to their hometowns to celebrations. They’re held at city hall or another local government building. The community comes out to congratulate the shin seijin for entering this new stage in life.
Although the ceremony starts with speeches made by city officials and other guest speakers, the day can begin as early as 5 A.M. The early start is necessary for the girls in particular because they need help getting dressed in their furisode, which are expensive kimonos with sleeves that almost reach the ground worn by unmarried women. They also wear fur stoles and zori (slippers worn with formal kimono) and get their hair and make-up done. Sometimes a photoshoot is included in the rental package of a furisode, which is very expensive. As for the guys, they traditionally wear men’s kimono with haori (jacket worn over a kimono) and hakama (pleated trousers tied at the waist), but tuxedos are more popular now.
Erika Toda, who celebrated her twentieth birthday in 2008, in a furisode commercial
Following the speeches are performances. Then the shin seijin receive gifts. Once the formal procession is done, groups go out together to take advantage of the new legal drinking status. The parties have been known to last late into the night.
References
Imagine a Quinceañera, a Bar Mitzvah, or a sweet sixteen party like the ones on MTV combined with your twenty-first birthday celebration. Now imagine that you and all your classmates are having the party on the exact same day. This gigantic monumental soiree is what occurs on Seijin no Hi, or Coming-of-Age Day.
On the second Monday of January, those turning twenty in the current school year-between April of last year and the upcoming March-gather for the seijin shiki (coming-of-age ceremony) to celebrate their passage into adulthood. Turning twenty in Japan means that one is subject to the responsibilities and liberties of an adult. One can vote, drink, smoke, gamble, go to hostess bars, get a driver’s license, and marry without parental permission. The event is so big that Seijin no Hi is actually a national holiday.
History
Coming-of-age ceremonies have been present since at least the Heian Period (794-1185). They used to be known as genpuku for boys and mogi for girls. Although there wasn’t a specific age of adulthood, the ceremonies normally occurred during the early teenage years. The young women and men would get their first set of “adult” clothes and have make-up put on them.
Twenty became the official age of adulthood in 1876. After World War II, in 1948, Seijin no Hi became a national holiday. It was celebrated on January 15 until 1999 when the “Happy Monday” system was implemented to give workers a day off if a holiday fell on a weekend.
Seijin Shiki
Seijin shiki are local events so shin seijin (new adults) would often return to their hometowns to celebrations. They’re held at city hall or another local government building. The community comes out to congratulate the shin seijin for entering this new stage in life.
Although the ceremony starts with speeches made by city officials and other guest speakers, the day can begin as early as 5 A.M. The early start is necessary for the girls in particular because they need help getting dressed in their furisode, which are expensive kimonos with sleeves that almost reach the ground worn by unmarried women. They also wear fur stoles and zori (slippers worn with formal kimono) and get their hair and make-up done. Sometimes a photoshoot is included in the rental package of a furisode, which is very expensive. As for the guys, they traditionally wear men’s kimono with haori (jacket worn over a kimono) and hakama (pleated trousers tied at the waist), but tuxedos are more popular now.
Click to viewErika Toda, who celebrated her twentieth birthday in 2008, in a furisode commercial
Following the speeches are performances. Then the shin seijin receive gifts. Once the formal procession is done, groups go out together to take advantage of the new legal drinking status. The parties have been known to last late into the night.
References
- Allen, David and Chiyomi Sumida. “Coming of Age Day, a big event for Japanese youths, is steeped in tradition.” Stars and Stripes. 9 Jan. 2004.
- Boyd, David, ed. “Hitokuchi Memo: Coming of Age.” Omisubi. Summer 2008.
- JET Programme - "Coming of Age Day"