Monday, January 11, 2010

Coming of Age Day in Japan





Today is Coming of Age Day in Japan (Seijin no hi). It is held annually on the second Monday in January. It is held to congratulate all those who have officially become adults by reaching the age of 20. Big ceremonies are held at city halls. After-parties are popular and alcohol is usually flowing as it's the first time they can legally drink (smoke and vote).

In comparison, the legal age for an adult in the United States is 18. But we must wait until we are 21 before we can legally drink alcohol. Another big difference is that bars in America are very strict about letting anyone enter who is under 21. They generally "card" (check ID) anyone who looks under 30. So I was getting carded until just a few years ago, JK! :)

In Japan, many women celebrate by wearing a kimono with long sleeves. Properly putting on a kimono is an art that must be studied and most young women must visit a beauty salon to dress and to set their hair.

I like this day because it's fun to see young people wearing kimono and having a good time. The main reason I like this day though is because it's a national holiday. Here are pictures of my student Ri-chan y Senorita Wakana.

5 comments:

Hideki said...

Speaking of age, I have so shocking experience at a movie theater. When I purchased a ticket of movie, the staff of theater showed me a list of charge and asked. “Which age are you?”
There were five charge options on the list, General, Student (College, High School), Student (Jr. High, Elementary), Child, and Senior (60 & up). I wonder why she asked me about the charge, because it was obvious that I am “General”. And then I realized that she couldn’t see which I was “General” or “Senior”. Do I look like a man of more than sixty years old? Senior is nine years future!

conrad said...

Hideki, that is a funny story. LOL! You know young people don't have good judgment when it comes to how old someone is.

Anonymous said...

Hello! My name is Saori Ogiwara.I am a kitasato university student.

Every year,i'm looking forward to seeing beautiful young girls wearing kimono,it is so colorful and great,so i love coming of age day in japan!

Do you know how much kimono is ?
Maybe,you will be surprised...

Unknown said...

2011,1,10
I had a good time.

I met my old friends.

I want to back again that day.


AOI
TOKAI UNI

Anonymous said...

Hello! This is Yoko.(9AJJ5114)
Conrad's blog is very very interesting!
I read many topics!

see you next English class!