Seijin Shiki
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201)
Tue 2009/01/13 11:39
Yesterday was a public holiday known as "Seijin no Hi" [成人の日] or "Coming of age day" where those who have turned 20 are declared adults meaning they can now do SDV (Smoke, Drink and Vote).
In the past, the coming of age day was celebrated only among samurai families - for boys it was between 12 - 16 and for girls it was between 12 - 14((Wikipedia).
Went with writer and art director comrade Andrew Lee (who took these pics) out n about to look for fluffy rabbits - and we found many.
In the past, the coming of age day was celebrated only among samurai families - for boys it was between 12 - 16 and for girls it was between 12 - 14((Wikipedia).
Went with writer and art director comrade Andrew Lee (who took these pics) out n about to look for fluffy rabbits - and we found many.
Starting off with a few pics of my fave girls - one to the top right of this pic.
Very sweet. Gorgeous curly hair.
Another sweet fluffy rabbit to my left.
The coming of age day is held on the second Monday of January. The Shin Seijin [新成人] or "New Adults" would gather at the local ward office and listen to some pep talk given by the governing authorities - usually along the lines of "you are responsible adults now, stop playing with your dolphin and help out with the declining population. And don't rob banks while you are at it."
Some of the New Adults would then go to a shrine and get together with old school class mates in what is known as a Dousoukai [同窓会] - you may have heard this word in anime or eroge where old school class mates get together after a few years and have ecchi on the same night.
The girls wear a traditional garment known as Furisode [振袖] which they normally rent. Rental for these garments for *one day* can cost up to and over 150,000 yen (not a typo ^^;) from online rental stores like Gohuku.
The lovely Erika Toda in a CM for some Furisode below.
The lovely Erika Toda in a CM for some Furisode below.
Many folks out n about to take pics of (mainly) the girls.
And if you are wondering - been told that most of the fluff is fake fur.
Started off in Harajuku but only saw a handful of rabbits. Andrew has a blueprint of the Shibuya/Yoyogi and Harajuku area printed on his left knee and showed me a shortcut from Harajuku to Shibuya which will change the way I travel around this area.
While many of the lads will go for a business suit, some still go for the traditional Hakama [袴] - again can be rented online for something like 38,000 yen from places like Huuryuu.
With no catch at Harajuku, we arrived at the CC Lemon Hall in Shibuya. As local ward offices can only fit a certain number of people, the CC Lemon hall is used to fit in the rest.
The fire brigade was out in force - now that you are adults, they would like you to be a good citizen and help put out those fires.
Some of the new adult lads. Looks like the guy in the middle was given a congrats-you-are-now-an-adult beating judging from the bruises to his face.
If you want to catch some Seijin no Hi festivities next year, I would advice that you go to the CC Lemon hall in Shibuya at about 12:30 - you will have an hour of photos before they all go in at about 1:30.
Hmmm, just found some more CMs with Erika Toda in them ^^;
Spotted many fellow gaijin out n about in the area taking photos too.
Its usually OK to ask for photos with the girls as they spent a lot of money to look good for the day - they generally want to be looked at. And if you are in armor then many ask to have their photo with you ^^;
Kawaii zo!
As far as I know, we didn't have any form of celebrations in the UK for folks who become adults - any in your neck of the woods?
Which brings me to a related question that I asked many moons ago but am curious as to what the demographics are now - how old is you being? I generally don't like asking these questions but the poll is not related to your account in anyway so your answers are completely anonymous.
If you arrive at the CC Lemon too late, you will find the place pretty much deserted. Not sure how long they are in the hall for as we didn't hang around to find out.
Me cant remember the year that I turned 20 at all...
Me in late 30's now. For a long time, I felt that I started off late in society mainly due to not knowing what I wanted to do as a teenager/early twenties.
For much of my career in Amazon and Microsoft, I have seen life as a race against time - time which is running out. But the more I saw time as being the enemy, the less I enjoyed life.
Since I discovered my passion and what I want to do in life, the clocks seem to tick faster and I felt pressure from myself to get as much as possible done before I die.
These days, I see time as a friend that I share my life with. By prioritizing the most important things in my life, I find it easier to get more done and reach my destinations without having to put pressure on myself regarding the sands of time slowly building up at the bottom of the hour glass.
Nobody can stop the sands of time and we should not only accept it but see the realities of it earlier rather than later - this way we can start working on the things we want to accomplish before we are 6 foot under or sittign in a jar.
For much of my career in Amazon and Microsoft, I have seen life as a race against time - time which is running out. But the more I saw time as being the enemy, the less I enjoyed life.
Since I discovered my passion and what I want to do in life, the clocks seem to tick faster and I felt pressure from myself to get as much as possible done before I die.
These days, I see time as a friend that I share my life with. By prioritizing the most important things in my life, I find it easier to get more done and reach my destinations without having to put pressure on myself regarding the sands of time slowly building up at the bottom of the hour glass.
Nobody can stop the sands of time and we should not only accept it but see the realities of it earlier rather than later - this way we can start working on the things we want to accomplish before we are 6 foot under or sittign in a jar.
Some of these in the Wallpaper Pool.
Some of the lads to get a bit rowdy though.
This guy promises to give up on Tenga and dakimakura.
Following clip discovered at Japan Probe showing how some others decided to celebrate their coming of age day.
All these were taken on the Lumix LX3. See more taken on an SLR at comrade David's burogu.
Me pretending to be a member of staff handing out goodies to the new adults.
This photo is 1 of a series of 3.
The second in the series...
And the third - caption these photos ^^;
And after the CC Lemon hall, it was off to Shibuya to see more shenanigans to be covered in another article. Bumped into this lovely lady on the way.
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Full-time student へへ
not to mention kissing in public. ^^
(ID #446245) Posted on 2009/01/13 11:12
student , otaku and awesome blogger
so, why do the women wear those fluffy things?
(ID #446250) Posted on 2009/01/13 11:16
CEO MIrai Inc
Its *very* cold at this time of year.
(ID #446255) Posted on 2009/01/13 11:17
student , otaku and awesome blogger
oh, I thought it had a cultural meaning for the coming of age event
(ID #446296) Posted on 2009/01/13 11:31
so thats where sesshoumaru's fluff came from..
(ID #446406) Posted on 2009/01/13 12:44
LOL
(ID #446636) Posted on 2009/01/13 17:10
Orochi~Shinobi (Registered on 2007/08/22 03:45)
lol, many of the winter jackets and coats in fashion now (at least, recently in north america, not so new in hongkong and the rest of asia) have this kind of fluff/fake fur on the collar... perhaps sesshomaru was just really in style.
(ID #447408) Posted on 2009/01/14 11:42
They look comfy.
(ID #446407) Posted on 2009/01/13 12:44
Otaku / Student in Computer Science
Yeah...
(ID #446490) Posted on 2009/01/13 14:23
Ninja / Engineer / Sensei / 魔法少女 (What!?! I can't be, I'm a guy...)
It woulda been nice to attend something like that. T_T Looks like they had fun. And for a certain few, a little extra fun. ;) (Referring to another post for those of you who don't know.)
(ID #446253) Posted on 2009/01/13 11:17
Kawaii Pink Stuffs FanGirl, Cat Lover, Otaku, MP3 Hunter, Matcha & Afternoon Milk Tea Addict.
me just turned into 23 years old few days ago XD lol. Wow, those girls really looks kawaii in those dresses!! XD do want to wear them!!! but the rent is super ex ^^; I love her bag lots in the last pic!! >_< pink color!!
(ID #446254) Posted on 2009/01/13 11:17
Student, Otaku, She-Geek(Sheek lol)
You can't be 37..... you don't look nearly old enough to be that age.... your the same age as Tennant..... I would never have guessed..... I turn 20 this year. Another 11 months till I do though lol. I want to stay a teenager... though watching Ally McBeal makes me wanna be in my 20's.... even though I know life will never be as quirky as that lol.
(ID #446259) Posted on 2009/01/13 11:19
Oh, you'd be surprised how quirky life gets as you get older... ^^;
(ID #446339) Posted on 2009/01/13 11:58
Fluffyness....... I turned 20 late last year ^__^
(ID #446265) Posted on 2009/01/13 11:20
Dog of the Country
i remember reading news articles about guys getting into fights last year.. hope non this year.. and such ceremonies are still on at china and taiwan. i had mine done a few years back when i was 18.. drank "alcohol" to symbolise that we are adults.. =D
(ID #446267) Posted on 2009/01/13 11:21
Blogger, Figure collector, Baby Photographer?
we've only got thh sweet 16 or the quinceanera. At the tiem i opted for a Sweet 16 but should have gone with the quinceanera instead http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quincea%C3%B1era Acording to Wiki i could have gotten a crown and a sceptor! That would have been awesome to walk around in. Oh adn we do the traditional 21st birthday in vegas! I did a week or so after my birthday, had a blast!
(ID #446285) Posted on 2009/01/13 11:29
Quince's sound like so much fun... many say it's just as good as a wedding day. ^^
(ID #446889) Posted on 2009/01/13 23:01
You should pretend to be a statue or display when handing things out. Then scare them all of a sudden. Good fun.
(ID #446304) Posted on 2009/01/13 11:33
Wow some of those girls are pretty nice wish we had those kind of festivals here the closet thing we have is Quinceanera and Sweet 16s =/ Quinceaneras are for girls coming of age and are usually huge parties with lots of food, music and drinking their lots of fun to ;D
(ID #446306) Posted on 2009/01/13 11:35
hmm 20? past 5 years ago-.- I wish i can try on those kawaii kimono and fur over shoulder?^^
(ID #446312) Posted on 2009/01/13 11:41
turning 20 in about another month!!. Wish I could join in on the ceremony tho.. :(
(ID #446315) Posted on 2009/01/13 11:41
Student artist
Danny with that storm trooper armor, you are instantly a chick magnet!
(ID #446323) Posted on 2009/01/13 11:50
A curious celebration is the Seijin Shiki... We don`t do nothing special here, you simply "become an adult" when reach 18, and that all. thinking about it, is a very important moment in life, so do something special look good. Anyway, personally I think one person becomes adult when the mind and body mature, so aging 18-20 is only the begining. You say something really smart, Danny, you can`t see time as an enemy, life is about enjoy your time, not count the time until end. Oh, and I`m 28 now, and proud of it, pal!
(ID #446326) Posted on 2009/01/13 11:52
Student
This is very funny holiday, here you turn 18 and you are already an adult, you can buy drinks and get really drunk at the age of 16. My coming of age seems so long ago xD now
(ID #446327) Posted on 2009/01/13 11:52
soon-to-be 2nd year Civil Engineering student
Just past 20 last November. We only get to vote and enter casinos(^^;;) and fap legally at 21... so reaching 20's nothing special here.
(ID #446328) Posted on 2009/01/13 11:53
Procrastinator, n00b blogger
Oh noes! I forgot I will be hatachi this year! and I forgot about the Seijin no Hi too! I just keep forgetting things like this xD
(ID #446332) Posted on 2009/01/13 11:54
Extremely Poor College Student
maybe i should have flew over since i just turned 20 a bit over a week ago
(ID #446333) Posted on 2009/01/13 11:54
Medical Research and Design
Congrats Danny! You are now beginning a streak of photos in which someone is not touching your dolphin! :D (please don't hit me) I have heard, but not seen, really 'live' images of the coming of age ceremony. The outfits are quite nice, I like the patterns, very colorful yet at the same time are not too vivid to be obnoxiously loud. The girls dig the armor. Empire grows stronger, at this rate, the rebels stand no chance!
(ID #446334) Posted on 2009/01/13 11:56
Ah, turning 20... ... I don't remember it, at all... ^^;;; I'll be 33 next month. ^_^
(ID #446347) Posted on 2009/01/13 12:01
Trying to become a blogger.
Do the Japanese have yearly election like in the USA. Interesting holiday, with we had holidays here where cute girls dress so pretty.
(ID #446358) Posted on 2009/01/13 12:10
Yearly election?
(ID #446425) Posted on 2009/01/13 13:10
Medical Research and Design
USA has elections every four years for presidency... I think every two years for seats?
(ID #447002) Posted on 2009/01/14 01:40
Traditional Japanese Kimono is possibly the most beautiful clothing in the world.
(ID #446367) Posted on 2009/01/13 12:20
Looks like it was a lot of fun Danny! I wish I could have been there. I'm currently 23 but will end up being 24 by the end of the year. Sometimes I feel like I'm so old with not much accomplished or really know what I want to do...Hopefully I'll end up like you Danny and be living me dream in a few years. ^.^v
(ID #446368) Posted on 2009/01/13 12:20
Ohh looks like so much fun! Can't wait to be 20~ Some of the guys are wearing the same jacket that I have... like in the 11th and 13th picture :'O! Maybe it was for guys to wear >.>;
(ID #446369) Posted on 2009/01/13 12:20
I turn 21 later this year, but it isn't until now I feel I can catch up on some of my lost years of childhood. I'm pretty happy right now where I am and where I am heading ^_^
(ID #446371) Posted on 2009/01/13 12:21
I was looking for an article like this after I discovered that some readers were SUPER young. ^^
(ID #446375) Posted on 2009/01/13 12:24
LOL ^^; some people develop early in life? xD
(ID #446401) Posted on 2009/01/13 12:38
university film student
Nothing special here - your friends may wish you a particularly happy birthday when you reach 16, or 18 (legal adult), or 19 (drinking age). That's about it. Is that...a free-for-all wrestling match? I is confused. :S Also, I give up on the caption. 'Tis bery hard. ^^;
(ID #446377) Posted on 2009/01/13 12:24
Those Furisode are absolutely beautiful ^^
(ID #446390) Posted on 2009/01/13 12:28
Blogger, consultant
Amazing photos, Danny. What a colorful tradition.
(ID #446391) Posted on 2009/01/13 12:28
university film student
(Okay, I hope this doesn't end up being double - have been tricked 'coupla times lately) Nothing special over here - your friends may wish you a particularly happy birthday at 16, 18 (legal adult) or 19 (provincial drinking age) but that's pretty much it. Is that free-for-all wrestling of some sort? I is very confused. Also, I give up on the caption. It's quite difficult. ^^;
(ID #446394) Posted on 2009/01/13 12:29
Anime Figure Collector
I want some of the goodies. =(
(ID #446400) Posted on 2009/01/13 12:37
Me thinks more pics with guys are needed ^^
(ID #446405) Posted on 2009/01/13 12:41
All I remember from 20 years old is packed classrooms, papers and exams...don't really see parties like that here...wish there was...
(ID #446414) Posted on 2009/01/13 12:55
Student
Who's the lady at the last pic? I was thinking 'lovely' lady meant a friend or a model friend :D
(ID #446417) Posted on 2009/01/13 13:00
Student, Bioresearch Assistant, WAVE VP Communications
I'm turning 19 in less than a month. Growing up quickly is NOT something I want.
(ID #446421) Posted on 2009/01/13 13:08
Student, health worker
What an interesting celebration~!I turn 18 this year ;A; I'm actually looking forward to it because that means I don't have to keep renewing my work license, haha! :)
(ID #446436) Posted on 2009/01/13 13:21
Pokemon master
The girls are so pretty! *_* I wonder if we have readers younger than 10 here. Oh my... :O
(ID #446440) Posted on 2009/01/13 13:23
Actor, Moviemaker and Blogger.
We don't have any celebration like this aorund here. It would be nice to have some!
(ID #446444) Posted on 2009/01/13 13:26