Shichi-Go-San (七五三）

Shichi-Go-San is a celebration for children from late October to mid-November. It is said to have originated in the Heian period amongst court nobles who would celebrate the passage of their children into middle childhood. Shichi-go-san literally means “seven, five three”, the age of children who are blessed on this day.  It is believed that children are given the gift of language at the age of three, intelligence at five, and teeth at seven. The 15th of the month was chosen for the celebration in the old days because the sum of the three numbers, 15 is regarded as having strong power to repel evil spirits. It’s not difficult to imagine parents’ joy at celebrating the growth of their kids when children’s mortality rate was high.

During the 18th century, children, up to age of three, who were required by custom to have shaved head were allowed to grow their hair. Boys of age five could wear hakama (袴）for the first time, while girls of age seven replaced the hifu (被布ーvest cover) and simple cords they used to tie their kimono at age three with the traditional obi, a shigoki (しごき帯) cloth covering part of the obi tied with a ribbon knot behind and a hakoseko（箱せこ）purse tugged under her chest. This is a day for children to get a sense of their own growth.

Chitose Ame (千歳飴) literally means “thousand year candy” is given to children on this day. It is a long, thin, red and white candy, which symbolizes healthy, growth and longevity. It is given in a bag decorated with a crane and turtle which represent long life

The tradition hasn't changed much since the Meiji period. While the ritual regarding hair has been discarded, these days, modern ritual of dressing up in kimonos, visiting a shrine, photo-taking session and family dining are still common practices.