※ Arigatoh for reacting. Incidentally. This time I would like to explain about One of the Shou-Gatsu events in Japan Coming of Age Ceremony. Japan's Coming of Age Ceremony used to be on January 15th, but it was changed to the second Monday of January. which makes the weekend a consecutive holiday. This year it is on the 13th. The age was also 20 years old before, but now it is 18 years old. But, alcohol and tobacco are still prohibited until 20 years old. It is said that the origin of the Japanese ”Age Ceremony” is a ceremony called "Genpuku" which was held by boys aged 12 to 16 years old (Japanese old way age) after the Nara period (710-784 AD). In this ceremony, the boys would tie their hair in an adult hairstyle, change into adult clothes, and change their childhood names to new names. But there are also cases where the ceremony is held at a young age, such as 5 to 7 years old, due to political marriages or home reasons. For girls, a "mogi" ceremony was held between the ages of 12 and 16, during which they put on a garment called a "mo" that is worn from the waist down. At the same time, their hair was tied up, they changed from a child's hairstyle to an adult's, they put on heavy makeup, had their teeth blackened, and their eyebrows were shaved or plucked. (If the eyebrows are not plucked, it is called Han (half)-Genpuku, and this custom still remains today among such as Maiko in Gion and tayu in Shimabara). But, it is no longer common. But, modern eyebrow fashions, such as eyebrow ink, can be seen as a throwback to earlier times. But, many old coming-of-age ceremonies are still practiced and recreated in now times. For example, there is a fire festival called "Sagicho" (Omihachiman City, Shiga Prefecture), held on Little New Year's Day (the evening of January 14th or the morning of January 15th) people bring and burn the New Year's decorations and first calligraphy etc, at ended harvest fields. In the festival of 17-year-old boys are called "Genpuku Wakashu" and are ordered to set fire to the Sagicho. They are put to the test by other young men blocking the Genpuku Wakashu from approaching the Sagicho. The ritual continues until the Sagicho is set on fire. (and also eat roasted rice cakes by the fire). Similar festivals, there are all over Japan. Some of them have been designated as Important Intangible Folk Cultural Properties by the nation. Also, Musashi Mitake Shrine (Ohme City, Tokyo) was held a coming-of-age ceremony for boys and girls graduating from junior high school, recreating the ancient samurai style. Also, junior high schools in Aomori, Tochigi, Ishikawa, Ehime, Miyazaki, Kumamoto, and some other areas hold "old coming-of-age ceremonies, Genpuku-ceremonies" as school events for second or third-year junior high school students. Also, at Sanjuusangen-do Temple, a national treasure in Kyoto, young people who have turned 20 years old wear colorful Furisode and Hakama and participate in the annual "Tohshiya" (shooting a target with a Japanese bow, Wa-kyuu), in a traditional event held since the Kamakura period.
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THanks!
※ Arigatoh for reacting.
Incidentally.
This time I would like to explain about One of the Shou-Gatsu events in Japan Coming of Age Ceremony.
Japan's Coming of Age Ceremony used to be on January 15th, but it was changed to the second Monday of January. which makes the weekend a consecutive holiday. This year it is on the 13th. The age was also 20 years old before, but now it is 18 years old. But, alcohol and tobacco are still prohibited until 20 years old.
It is said that the origin of the Japanese ”Age Ceremony” is a ceremony called "Genpuku" which was held by boys aged 12 to 16 years old (Japanese old way age) after the Nara period (710-784 AD). In this ceremony, the boys would tie their hair in an adult hairstyle, change into adult clothes, and change their childhood names to new names. But there are also cases where the ceremony is held at a young age, such as 5 to 7 years old, due to political marriages or home reasons.
For girls, a "mogi" ceremony was held between the ages of 12 and 16, during which they put on a garment called a "mo" that is worn from the waist down. At the same time, their hair was tied up, they changed from a child's hairstyle to an adult's, they put on heavy makeup, had their teeth blackened, and their eyebrows were shaved or plucked. (If the eyebrows are not plucked, it is called Han (half)-Genpuku, and this custom still remains today among such as Maiko in Gion and tayu in Shimabara). But, it is no longer common. But, modern eyebrow fashions, such as eyebrow ink, can be seen as a throwback to earlier times.
But, many old coming-of-age ceremonies are still practiced and recreated in now times.
For example, there is a fire festival called "Sagicho" (Omihachiman City, Shiga Prefecture), held on Little New Year's Day (the evening of January 14th or the morning of January 15th) people bring and burn the New Year's decorations and first calligraphy etc, at ended harvest fields. In the festival of 17-year-old boys are called "Genpuku Wakashu" and are ordered to set fire to the Sagicho. They are put to the test by other young men blocking the Genpuku Wakashu from approaching the Sagicho. The ritual continues until the Sagicho is set on fire. (and also eat roasted rice cakes by the fire).
Similar festivals, there are all over Japan. Some of them have been designated as Important Intangible Folk Cultural Properties by the nation.
Also, Musashi Mitake Shrine (Ohme City, Tokyo) was held a coming-of-age ceremony for boys and girls graduating from junior high school, recreating the ancient samurai style. Also, junior high schools in Aomori, Tochigi, Ishikawa, Ehime, Miyazaki, Kumamoto, and some other areas hold "old coming-of-age ceremonies, Genpuku-ceremonies" as school events for second or third-year junior high school students.
Also, at Sanjuusangen-do Temple, a national treasure in Kyoto, young people who have turned 20 years old wear colorful Furisode and Hakama and participate in the annual "Tohshiya" (shooting a target with a Japanese bow, Wa-kyuu), in a traditional event held since the Kamakura period.
I really appreciate you taking the time to explain the history of the Coming of Age Ceremony! we always appreciate the knowledge! Thanks!!
For anyone wondering, Sakamoto is 27.
This man was born with white hair apparently.
Really!?!? That’s crazy!
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