Shichi-go-san (seven-five-three): The Coming of Age Day
January 25, 2010 by admin
Filed under Numerology
The Coming of Age Day is so significant in Japanese society that it is a national holiday.
JAPAN is steeped in tradition. From birth to adulthood, there are rites of passage to mark a child’s growth at a certain age.
A boy in haori and hakama with the chitose-ame (candy).
Shichi-go-san (seven-five-three) is observed on Nov 15 for girls aged three and seven, and for boys aged five. But why seven, five and three? It could have originated from the belief that children of certain ages are susceptible to bad luck and thus are in need of divine protection. They are also lucky numbers in the Japanese numerology.
It is said that Shichi-go-san dates back to the Heian Period (794-1185) and was observed among the aristocrats who celebrated their children’s stages of growth, on an auspicious day in November. The date was subsequently fixed on Nov 15 during the Kamakura Period (1185-1333).
The samurais in the Edo Period (1603-1858) adopted the tradition, albeit with some rituals added. By the Meiji Period (l868-1912), the practice had become widespread among commoners. Read More
