SHICHI-GO-SAN / 七五三
~ Traditional Japanese Event to Thank for the Healthy Growth of Children ~


Have you ever seen Japanese children, dressed in kimonos, visiting shrines in this season?
 

It is an annual event which is called “Shichi-Go-San(七五三)”.
Have you ever wondered why we have such an event? Here are the answers! You’ll know all about “Shichi-Go-San” soon.
 

 

What is “Shichi-go-san (七五三)”?

 


 

 

It is an event in which boys who are three and five, counting in the old Japanese way and girls who are three and seven go to shrines to give thanks for their healthy growth and pray for happiness and long lives.

It is said to have originated in the Heian Period amongst court nobles who would celebrate the passage of their children into middle childhood. The ages three, five and seven are consistent with Japanese numerology, which dictates that odd numbers are lucky.
 

 


When do people go to shrines?

 


 

It used to be on the 15th of November in the old calendar.

People used to say that the 15th is the day on which devils don’t walk around, so they said that it is a good day for doing things.

Also, the 15th is the full moon day. November is the month for thanking gods for the harvest, so people started to go to shrines to give thanks for the harvest and children’s healthy growth at the same time.

Now, it is not only for the 15th of November but is more popular on Saturday and Sunday in October and November.
 

 

Why is it when the children are 3, 5 and 7 years old?

 

There were customs that children start to grow their hair (Kamioki / 髪置) when they become 3 years old, and start to wear hakama; a long pleated skirt worn over a kimono when they become 5 years old.

Then, at age 7 they start to wear real kimonos instead of informal kimonos for girls). It is the same way to wear kimonos as adults.

Until modern times, Japan was a poor country and many babies died, so this event, celebrating children’s health was pertinent at that time.
 

 

What is Chitose-ame?

 


 

Chitose-ame is a long stick of red or white candy sold at “Shichi-Go-San”.

Parents hope for children’s long lives, that’s why the candy is long (about a diameter of 1.5cm and 1m long). White and red (actually the candy color is pink) are auspicious colors. The bag for the candies had pictures of a crane, a tortoise, pine trees, bamboo, Japanese apricot trees (ume), and other auspicious things.
 

 
A candy peddler who was called Shichibe started to sell Chitose-ame. “Chitose” means “one thousand years old”. This lucky name made this candy a big hit.

 

 

 

 

Category : Japanese Culture , text @en

Tag : 24 divisions of the solar year , 24sekki , corona virus , COVID-19 , COVID19 , Emergency , Japanese culture , season , tanabata , The coronavirus , 日本の文化

Terukuni Shrine (照国神社)

Terukuni Shrine (照国神社)

Terukuni Shrine is the most visited shrine i...

Yogan Nagisa Trail

Yogan Nagisa Trail

This is a 3km walking path, extend west from...

Jambo-mochi

Jambo-mochi

Jambo is Kagoshima's local sweet. It is rice...

The Nanshu Cemetery <br />(Grave of Takamori Saigo)

The Nanshu Cemetery
(Grave of T...

A graveyard which is dedicated to over 200 s...

Kagoshima City Aquarium “Io World”

Kagoshima City Aquarium “Io Wor...

The aquarium introduces sea creatures which ...

Shiroyama Observatory

Shiroyama Observatory

You can over look the City, Kinko Bay, Sakur...

Amami Oshima

Amami Oshima

The island is blessed with the cobalt blue s...

Yoron

Yoron

Yoron is a small but the first class resort ...

Jambo-mochi

Jambo-mochi

Jambo is Kagoshima's local sweet. It is rice...

Mishima Islands & Toshima Islands

Mishima Islands & Toshima Islands

Non touristic but beautiful islands remain l...

Kagoshima City Aquarium “Io World”

Kagoshima City Aquarium “Io Wor...

The aquarium introduces sea creatures which ...

Waterfront’s New Spot “DOLPHIN PORT”

Waterfront’s New Spot “DO...

Kagoshima's newest spot "Dolphin Port" opene...

March , 2024

U M T W R F S
 
  
   
    
     

Event & Art

RYOMA HONEYMOON WALK in KIRISHIMA 2024 (龍馬ハネムーンウォーク in 霧島)

RYOMA HONEYMOON WALK in KIR...

start : Mar. 16, 2024

KAGOSHIMA MARATHON 2024

KAGOSHIMA MARATHON 2024

start : Mar. 03, 2024

EXPERIENCE ZEN MEDITATION

EXPERIENCE ZEN MEDITATION

start : Feb. 25, 2024

Food & Drink