One of the the coolest parts about living in a city like Kyoto
Was accidentally coming across things like this...on a regular basis. There was always some sort of festival, celebration, or cultural event going on somewhere in the city. Never a dull day in my life over there. I think the most bored I ever got was sitting at a Starbucks that overlooked the Kamo River, but even people watching at that hella busy location was interesting.
Celebrated on the second Monday of January, Coming of Age Day (Seijin no Hi) brings together all the youth that had turned 20 in the previous year. A symbolic ceremony with speeches and the like ushering kids into the world of adulthood, they really just gather to party and have some fun. An excuse to get dressed up in traditional garb and rock it out in public. For us here in the U.S., 18 is the age of adulthood, but over there things start a bit later.
For those of us who just happen to be around for it
It's a great time to grab some shots of some really cool clothes and youth being youth. Admittedly, when I took these shots I wasn't too much older than them but...that's not the point. They gathered together to have a lot of fun, even with the police watching from nearby.
According to my research
This ceremony has been going on since at least 714, with it becoming a national holiday in 1948. But, in recent years attendance has been declining due to a number of factors. A huge one being the shrinking number of youth in the country because of a declining birth rate. The lack of immigration (Japan doesn't really let people in), and frustration of both men and women and gender roles within the country (long, long conversation), and various other underlying societal issues...Japan is headed for some interesting times as its population deflates like an old balloon. Some say it's a good situation, others bad. Time will tell.
The young ladies were mostly dressed
In furisode, a type of traditional kimono. With long sleeves, intricate patterns, and vibrant colors. Let me tell you, these ladies love dressing up like this. It might be a huge pain in the bum to get it all together, and expensive, but the smiles on their faces as everyone stared at them, hehe. Lovely. I remember the few times the girl I was dating dressed up like that. More fun than you can imagine :) Men were split between traditional kimono and formal western clothing. Some even had swords...for unknown reasons. But, they looked cool so...
It's strange
But in the 6 years I lived in Japan, I think I only witnessed this event once. I really did just run across stuff as I wandered the city. Though, there were many things I put on a schedule and made sure to attend. But, those are stories for a different day.
I hope you enjoyed this quick memory of mine. Maybe even learned a little bit. I'd love to hear what you think. Have you ever seen this celebration? Ever been to Japan? Let me know :)
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