Shichi-Go-San
shichigosan 七五三 lit sevenfivethree traditional japanese rite passage festival day three sevenyearold girl fiveyearold sometimes threeyearold boy held annually november celebrate growth wellbeing young child national holiday generally observed nearest weekend shichigosan said originated heian period amongst court noble would celebrate passage child middle childhood also suggested idea originated muromachi period due high infant mortality age consistent east asian numerology hold odd number lucky practice set fifteenth month kamakura period meaning celebrate survival child infant child mortality rate higher previous century time tradition passed samurai class added number ritual first ceremony three yearolds called kamioki meaning hairleaving traditionally period seven day birth age three child head would kept shaved second ceremony five yearold boy called hakamaginogi similar western practice breeching marked first time young boy would wear formal attire hakama haori associated role responsibility third ceremony obitokinogi held seven yearold girl ceremony marked first time young girl would wear obi broad stiff sash kimono instead simply wearing kimono tied attached string lightweight informal scarflike sash symbolizing transition womanhood practice began kamakura period originally practiced yearold girl well boy edo period transitioned performed girl aged meiji period practice shichigosan adopted amongst commoner well included modern ritual visiting shrine drive evil spirit wish long healthy life shichigosan changed little since meiji period ritual regarding hair discarded boy aged five girl aged three seven still dressed kimono—many first time—for visit shrine threeyearold girl usually wear hifu type padded vest kimono westernstyle formal wear also worn child modern practice photography day well known day take picture child common observe rite based traditional way calculating age kazoedoshi child one year old birth gain year new year day case girl celebrate year would reach age according modern calculation two six boy year would reach age according modern calculation four chitose ame 千歳飴 lit thousand year candy given child shichigosan chitose ame long thin red white candy symbolizes healthy growth longevity given bag decorated crane turtle represent long life japan chitose ame wrapped thin clear edible rice paper film resembles plastic crayon shinchan episode – shichigosan nohara family celebrates shichigosan ovum mega man upon star roll make promise akane japanese festival wear kimono shichigosan mama love poyopoyosaurus episode – shobosan came slobbing mama double poyota family celebrates shichigosan paranoia agent episode happy family planning character fuyubachi fall asleep train holding chitose ame later give young girl kamomekun katte ni kaizō episode celebrate child th birthday said kaizo scared shichigosan childhood memory episode osomatsusan picture jyushimatsu wearing kimono shichigosan shown photo album episode anime dragonball z kuririn asks gohan going keep wearing shichigosan suit second ovum teen romantic comedy snafu iroha taking group photo service club member hachiman remark pose resembles kind used shichigosan chapter manga honey clover hagu comingofage photo taken turn morita edits photo make look like shichigosan photograph look young edited photo hagu holding bag chitose ame episode anime toriko main character toriko komatsu distribute chitoseame child gourmet shrine shichigosan shokuotoko episode anime chibi maruko chan marukos cousin arrive celebrate shichigosan shichigosan japan experience tokyo kid website