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November is the most popular month for wedding ceremonies and also special month for celebration of Shichi-go-san. So a lot of Japanese ladies wear colorful Kimonos, Japanese traditional costumes, although Kimono-clad ladies have been rarely seen in our daily life.
Herein, I would like to brief you on Shichi-go-san.
 Shichi-go-san literally means seven, five, and three. This celebration used to be held on November 15th. Nowadays, it is celebrated throughout the month of November for children who have reached the ages of seven, five or three years, dressing themselves in their best clothes including Kimono. In Japan, odd numbers have been considered lucky numbers, especially 7-5-3 The concept of these figures was influenced by the Chinese one in which odd numbers were considered as lucky numbers.
Before modern times, a lot of children died of various diseases. That's why people gathered to celebrate their healthy growth at each turning point of bring-up of children. We visit a Shinto shrine on or after 30 days after their birth to introduce our babies to the local deity. Furthermore , girls are celebrated on March 3rd and boys on May 5th, as girls' festival and boys' one respectively.
 Ａccording to the lunar calendar, 15th day of a month was considered to be lucky day because a devil did not walk around in the neighborhood.November was also the month when people thanked God for the bountiful harvest of the year. In addition, the 15th of November fell on the day of the full moon. However, lately people have celebrated 7-5-3. not only this day but also on weekends in November because of their busy life.
On November 15th in ancient times, for three-year-old girls among them, the day used to be celebrated as the special day when they wore kimono with a sash for the first time. For five-year-old boys, it was the day when they were able to wear Hakama, a kind of divided skirt. For seven-year-old boys and girls, it was considered as the last moment event of their child. Each celebration traces back to Japanese traditional events, 8th to 16th century, with more meanings.
 After their visit to a shrine, children are given chitose-ame, a type of which is sold only on this occasion. Chitose-ame, a long and thin stick of red and white candy in bags with a crane and turtle illustration sold at shrines.
Chitose means “one thousand years” and in Japan both the crane and the turtle are symbols of long life. Also, red and white are an auspicious color combination for the Japanese. These symbols on the candy envelopes all have to do with long life and prosperity, wishing for children’s health and growth.
Cranes and turtles have been considered to be their longevity. In addition, pine trees are evergreen tree, so are also considered to be a symbol of long life. The bamboo grows upright; in other words it symbolizes straightforwardness and tenaciousness. The plum tree blooms as the first blossom to appear in spring in spite of the snow on still upon the branches, signifying vitality. And there is apt to be an old couple from a famous story of the Noh theater, a man and wife named Jo and Uba, who stand for long life coupled with happiness.
Historically speaking, Chitose-ame is said to originate in Asakusa Sensou-ji Temple in Edo era (17th - 19th century).It was originally used as a condiment and became popular among children as confectionery in Edo period. It was colored with white and red and was sold under name of “sen-nen, or a thousand year”.
Due to a current trend towards having fewer children, children-associated business such as confectionery and toy companies have been suffering from on-going depressed market. Therefore, November is the best month for such industries, including the rental business of Kimono for children;
Finally, I would like to introduce full set of Kimono worn by a seven year as follows;
1.Kimono
2.double lapels
3.sash plate
4. waist string
5. short underwear
6. sash
7 sash buslte
8. folding fun
9. sub-sash
10. hem-stopper
11. long underwear
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12. sash suspender
13. handbag
14. sash-plate
15. split-toed socks
16 neck band
17. waist sash
18. triple tentative string
19. sash-shaper
20. thronged sandals
21. hair accessory |
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The selling price for a full set of kimono for a 7 year-old girl ranges from 40,000 to 210,000 yen, depending on materials such as silk, chemical fiver and designs. On the other hand, the one day rental charge of full set of Kimono for a girl is from 15,000 to 85,000yen.
Do you imagine how it weighs totally? It seems a little heavy for a 7 year old girl. Anyway it is not only a physical burden for celebrated children who feel very tight in unaccustomed ones but also a financial burden for their parents having a child or more to be celebrated on the same time. However, even children in Kimono complaining tightness and difficulty in walking are looking forward to the day when they have a happy chance to be taken good care of by their parents/ grand parents as well as given gifts and favorite food on the way back home.
To find ladies and children in colorful Kimono, stroll out to a temple near your hotel if you happen to stay in Japan in November. |
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