SEIJIN NO HI 2ND MONDAY OF JANUARY

NATIONAL HOLIDAY

JAPAN

Legal Recognition Seijin Shiki- the formal ceremony held at the local city office

Govt. officials emcee the Seijin Shiki by welcoming the newly recognized adults with short speeches- advice, expectations (optional) small gifts as a token of their new status

Who? Japanese men and women turning 20 by April 1st of the previous year - March 31st of this year (ex: April 1, 2010-March 31, 2011)

Tradition started in Japan in 741 AD as…◦ Genpuku- males b/t 12-17 yrs. old◦ Mogi- females b/t 12-14 yrs. old◦ …the giving of adult clothes and adult haircut

New wave (1948)- provides legal rights to vote, drink, smoke, and be self- reliant.

The “new adults” have been criticized as rude by elders for caring more about their expensive appearance than the cultural tradition-delay in adolescence!

Police began to arrest rowdy adults in the late 90’s in order to subside some of the anti- social behaviors.

Participation in the event is down more than likely because

Japan’s birthrate is lower and population has peaked and will soon decline.

Appearance for Seijin No Hi

FEMALE APPEARANCE MALE APPEARANCE Furisode kimono- long

sleeves (indicating unmarried) and extensive design Obi – sash tied around

kimono- most expensive part of outfit

Traditional Dressed by female

elders of family or at a salon

Expensive $10,000-new Up to $1,000- rent

Western suit and tie are mostly accepted and prevalently worn Non- traditional

Dark Kimono with hakama (trouser- like) Traditional

Furisode Kimono with ObiOBI

Male Choice of DressWESTERN KIMONO WITH HAKAMA

What happens next? After the local celebration by the government

official, the new adults are treated to a party. Many new adults will entertain with family and friends for a short time, and then meet up with their fellow newly recognized adults and party into the night. The partying is a fairly new cultural trend brought on

after the post- war era (1946) by a young leader, as a Youth Festival, to boost morale in the younger generations. This tradition was nationalized in 1948 to Seijin no Hi.

Each city, village, town, and district of Japan celebrates Seijin no Hi in it’s own capacity.

EXCITEMENT OF SEIJIN NO HI

Any religious customs?

Shinto Shrine

Momote “100 hands” Shiki

Ceremonial for new adults to attend a Shinto Shrine to ensure good fortune Predates the new traditions of Seijin no Hi

dates back over 800 years kimono is worn like ancient samurais

10 Archers shoot 2 arrows each = 100 arrows Momote Shiki