Monday, January 9, 2012

Seijin no Hi (Coming of Age Day Holiday)

9 January 2012

On the second Monday in January there is a National Holiday celebrating all those who became 20 years old during the preceding year.  It is a civic holiday, with ceremonies held at town and city halls at which officials give speeches welcoming the young people to the world of adult responsibilities.  The young people themselves seem to relate more warmly to the fact that 20 is the drinking age in Japan.  Everyone dresses up, as you can see.  The mood of the dressing, especially for the girls,  expresses with elegance the wish both to be "grown-up", and to still be "kawaii" (cute).  The atmosphere is very fun.  We were there in the middle of the day.  As the day wears on into evening, the celebrants go off to private parties.  What happens at those, we can only guess.


Love to everyone..... Cheers!!

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