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