[Shichi-go-san] Let's learn about a traditional Japanese ceremony for kids!

Have you ever heard the word "Shichi-go-san"?

(standing for the ages of seven, five and three..."753")

Have you ever seen small children dress in kimonos visiting a temple or shrine with their families?

Shichigosan is one of traditional Japanese ceremonies to celebrate the growth of children. Every year on November 15th, we celebrate children aged 3, 5, and 7.

Do you have traditional ceremonies like that in your country?

This time, we researched about Shichigosan and how we actually celebrate it.

Let me report the research results!

How did "Shichigosan" begin? What is the reason for celebrating at the ages of 3, 5, and 7?

When you trace the roots of "Shichigosan", you can find that three ceremonies have been held since ancient times.

3 years old: "Kamioki no gi"

“Kamioki no gi” is a ceremony of allowing the hair to grow at the age of three, and prays for longevity by putting “Watashiraga'' (cotton white hair made of thread) on the head.

Around the Heian period (794–1185 AD), Children up to the age of three were required to shave their heads, and beginning to grow their hair was a sign that they had grown safely.

Putting “Watashiraga'' on the head shows parent's wish to live longer until the hair turns white.

5 years old: "Hakamagi no gi"

Also during the Heian period, a ceremony was held when boys aged 5 to 7 were allowed to wear “Hakama” (Japanese traditional formal wear) like adults for the first time.

After that, in the Edo period (1603 – 1868 AD), it became a celebration of a 5-year-old boy.

As well as “Kamioki no gi”, this ceremony is considered to be the oldest origin of Shichigosan.

7 years old: "Obitoki no gi"

In the Kamakura period (1185 – 1333 AD), a ceremony of allowing boys and girls aged 9 to fit “Obi” (a sash belt) the same as adults when they wear Kimono, instead of wearing kids Kimono without “Obi”.

Since the Edo period, this ceremony has turned to be celebrated for boys aged five and girls aged seven.

These ceremonies had gradually spread among common people, it became a modern style Shichigosan like now. It’s surprising that all the children had to shave their hair up to the age of three in the Heian period, and uniqul to Japan that we can feel the growth of children by the way they wear Kimono.

Why did Shichigosan become celebrated?

Shichigosan has been created to appreciate that children get aged safely and to wish for children's growth, though why did a ceremony like this become celebrated?

It was very fortunate that children grew up with good health and became adults at the time when Shichigosan began. Many children died soon after birth because medical science was not well developed in the past.

As 3 to 7 years old children easily got sick at that time, it was very important to pray for the growth of children.

Ceremonies for boys and girls

As I introduced the origin of Shichigosan, there are different ceremonies for boys and girls. Not all boys and girls aged 3, 5, and 7 are celebrated.

Age and gender are defined as follows.

3 years old: Boys and girls

5 years old: Boys only

7 years old: Girls only

This is because the ceremony of origin began to grow hair for both boys and girls at the age of 3, boys began to wear “Hakama'' at the age of 5, and girls began to wear “Obi” at the age of 7.

Now, It is common for girls to celebrate 3 and 7 years old and boys to celebrate 5 years old.

When to celebrate Shichigosan?

November 15th is the day of Shichigosan every year.

There are various theories about its origin, but it is said that the day when the demon does not go out, the day when Tsunayoshi Tokugawa, the fourth shogun of the Edo period, prayed for the health of his eldest son, and the day of the full moon in the lunar calendar.

In this day and age, it is difficult to go to temples or shrines for Shichigosan on weekdays due to school and work, so it is OK to go on weekends.

Recently, people do photo shoots with family at studios in any season.

Let’s celebrate for your kids with appreciation and wishes!

Be sure to get “Chitose ame”

Chitose ame is a long stick of red and white candy sold in Shichi-go-san festival. “Chitose” means thousand years and its long shape and colors symbolize healthy growth and longevity. Japanese consider red and white as auspicious colors. The bag with Chitose Ame has drawings of cranes and turtles which are symbols of longevity or pine, bamboo and plum which represent auspice.

What should we do on the day of Shichigosan?

It is common to wear a kimono and visit temples and shrines, buy Chitose ame and take commemorative photos as a celebration. Families which just take commemorative photos are increasing because it is difficult to take little kids to temples and shrines.

The day of Shichigosan is November 15th, but it is not always necessary to go on November 15th, so if the 15th day is a weekday, most of the time it will be adjusted to the weekends and holidays before and after to visit temples and shrines. There are no rules about which temples and shrines to go to, so let's decide a good place to go with your family.

Many people living in Inzai City go to "Naritasan Shinshoji Temple" in the neighboring Narita City.

In addition to visiting temples and shrines, you can also receive “Kitou” (prayers by buddhist devotions).It is common to pay "prayer fees", so check with the shrine and temple in advance.

In modern "Shichigosan", how do you celebrate generally?

It seems that the way of "Shichigosan" is changing due to changes in lifestyles from the past to the present.

In general, what kind of celebration do you have in Shichigosan?

・ Age can be counting years or full age, and it is decided according to the growth of the child and siblings.

・ The date is November 15th, but in reality it will be held between mid-October and November 15th.

・ Get your kids dressed in kimono, visit temples and shrines, and take commemorative photos at the photo studio.

These are general ways that many people do, and it is not always necessary to do them. It's okay to wear formal clothes such as shirts and dresses instead of kimonos, and some people go to September to avoid crowded worship at Corona.

Why don’t you make a plan in a way that suits your lifestyle?

Let’s take commemorative photos wearing kimono! Three recommended photo studios in Inzai City!

It is a must to take pictures on anniversaries! For families thinking of visiting a photo studio, here are three recommended photo studios in Inzai City.

Not only taking pictures but also costume rental is included, so it can be a good deal for you!

There are so many things to prepare for Shichigosan such as reservations and schedules, and it is a very busy event for dads and moms. However, since it is an event that wishes for the health and healthy growth of children, I would like to spend time cherishing each one.

There is no rule of the way to celebrate. Since the purpose is to visit God and Buddha, you don't have to feel pressured by thinking too much.

You can also consider visiting a nearby temple or shrine instead of a large temple or shrine? It is most important to worship with all your heart.

Please refer to the results of this research and make it a memorable "Shichigosan" for your family!

writer: Kinako

editor: Scarlet