Writer: Kotomi T.
Editor: Karen W.
Translator: Natsumi K.
～Introduction～
Have you ever heard of or participated in a “Coming of Age Ceremony”? This ceremony, held mainly on the second Monday of January by the local governments throughout Japan, is intended to encourage and celebrate individuals who become adults within the year. However, with the lowering of the age of adulthood to 18, many municipalities have changed the name of the ceremony to “Twentieth Birthday Celebration”(Hatachi no Tsudoi). This article will describe the culture of the Coming of Age Ceremony and provide insights into what the actual ceremony entails.
～Twentieth Birthday Celebration (Coming of Age Ceremony)～
★ Attire
For men, it is common to participate in formal attire such as suits or hakama. As for women, they typically wear suits or furisode. However, there are no strict rules, and participants are free to wear what they like.
★ Kimono and Furisode
Furisode worn by women is a traditional Japanese garment and a part of the kimono. One easy way to distinguish between them is by the sleeve length. While kimonos have sleeves measuring one ‘shaku’ three ‘sun’(一尺三寸), is japanese measurement that is approximately 50 centimeters. while furisode sleeves are longer, measuring approximately 95 centimeters, nearly one meter in length.
There are mainly two types of furisode to wear: “Mama-sleeved” furisode and rental furisode. Mama-sleeved furisode refers to the furisode worn by one’s mother at her own Coming of Age Ceremony. Where rental furisode, as the name suggests, involves renting furisode from silk or kimono companies for a fee.
Popular furisode colors include mustard, red, black, white, beige, and green. Red, a traditional favorite, remains popular due to its vibrant and longstanding association with the ceremony.
★ Flow of Coming of Age Ceremony Events (My Experience)
Here, I will introduce my actual experience of participating in a Coming of Age Ceremony. First, preparations are made leading up to the ceremony. For those renting furisode, preparations begin more than a year in advance.
| More than a year in advance | A year before | Coming of age ceremony(2nd Monday of January) | |
| Furisode Selection | Accessory Selection | Pre-shoot | Hair and makeup, Dressing |
【More Than a Year in Advance】
Selecting your desired design of furisode and accessories (bag, hair ornaments, sandals, collar, etc.). Some shops offer a wider range of design choices for an additional fee.
【A year before】
Before the actual coming-of-age ceremony, a ‘pre-shoot’ is conducted during the 前年. Pre-ceremony photos are commemorative photos taken in furisode attire before the actual ceremony. A photographer typically takes these photos. Afterward, you can keep them in an album or get the photo data. In recent years, more people have been opting for pre-ceremony photoshoots.
【Coming of age Ceremony】
On the day of the ceremony, time slots for hair and makeup as well as dressing are allocated individually, ensuring preparation to coincide with each municipality’s ‘Coming of age ceremony’.Once preparations are complete, participants head to the venue and attend the ceremony.
★ Day of the Ceremony
| Morning of the Ceremony | Ceremony | |
| ①Preparation (Hair and makeup, getting dressed) | ②Moving to the venue, Taking pictures with friends and ect. | ③Opening ceremony, Opening event |
| Ceremony | ||
| ④Speeches and introduction of guests of honor | ⑤Words from the twenty-year-old representative | ⑥Attractions |
| Ceremony | 成人式後 |
| ⑦Reunion venue(by middle school), closing ceremony | ⑧Return Home, Preparation→To the alumni gathering |
① I started preparing at 8:30 a.m. and it took me two and a half hours. During the dressing process, I had to stand for about an hour without being able to sit down, so it became a test of stamina.
② I moved to the venue and spent time chatting with friends and taking photos until the ceremony began. I took the train to the venue and seeing others heading to the ceremony made me realize that it was finally the coming-of-age day.
③ During the opening event, there was a local dance team performed.
④ The city’s mayor delivered a congratulatory speech and introduced the guests.
⑤ Representatives from each district came forward and delivered the oath of twenty-year-olds.
⑥ A famous personality performed music on this day.
⑦ Participants are given the opportunity to split into groups according to their respective middle schools for photo-taking and having a conversation.
⑧ After the ceremony, I returned home, changed clothes, and attended the middle school alumni reunion.
The coming-of-age ceremony is typically held when individuals reach the age of 20, coinciding with the age of university students. Therefore, it can be called as the cultural event in Japan that’s most relevant to our generation. This event is a once-in-a-lifetime occasion that only occurs at the milestone age of 20. Unlike events such as Christmas, which are celebrated annually and attract widespread attention, the coming-of-age ceremony is unique in that it occurs only once and garners significant significance. Also, for those who turn 20 outside of Japan, it may be difficult for them to participate directly in the ceremony. However, for those of us who reach the age of 20 on the second Monday of January each year, the coming-of-age ceremony serves as a rare and precious stage in our lives. You may find yourself wanting to celebrate when you see young adults in furisode attire all over Japan. In my case, I was also approached by neighbors with words of congratulations, which made me very happy to receive such heartwarming words of congratulations!
★ Want to Wear a Kimono or Furisode Even Without Attending the “Coming of Age Ceremony”★
Kawagoe
Mimian
Starting from ¥2,000 per person per day (including hair styling)
NANACO
Starting from ¥5,000 per person per day (including standard plan hair styling)
(¥500 discount for students)
You can rent a kimono starting from one person, and various plans. Additionally, they offer student discounts, making it easy to experience Japanese culture and enjoy Japan even more.
～Conclusion～
Did you learn a little about the Coming of Age Ceremony, one of Japan’s cultural traditions? As described, the Coming of Age Ceremony is a significant event for many people turning 20 each year. If you have friends, relatives, or neighbors who are turning 20, celebrate your coming of age ceremony with them!
References:
Kawagoe Kimono Rental Mimian: https://reserva.be/coedovivian
Kawagoe Kimono Rental NANACO: https://www.nanabikai.com/
Times Of TIU 
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