[:it]In Giappone il 15 novembre è il giorno di Shichi-Go-San (七五三, 7-5-3). Questo festival che celebra il rito di passaggio delle bambine di 3 e 7 anni e i bambini di 3 e 5 anni. Nella numerologia Giapponese questi numeri sono ritenuti particolarmente fortunati, come tutti i numeri dispari.

photo credits: cacadoresdelendas.com.br

Shichi-Go-San è il frutto di 3 tradizioni sviluppatesi nel periodo Heian, dapprima tra i nobili di corte i quali celebravano il passaggio dei loro figli alla “media infanzia”, successivamente nella classe Samurai segnando i passi importanti nella crescita. Fino a 3 anni il bambino doveva portare i capelli rasati, da questa età in su era loro concesso di portarli un po’ più lunghi. I maschi di cinque anni potevano indossare la hakama (袴, un indumento tradizionale che somiglia ad una larga gonna-pantalone lunga fino alle caviglie e legata alla vita) per la prima volta. Le bambine di sette anni invece, sostituivano le corde semplici usate per legare il proprio kimono con la tradizionale obi (帯, la tradizionale cintura di seta).

A partire dal periodo Meiji, la pratica fu adottata anche dai cittadini comuni introducendo la rituale visita un santuario shintoista per allontanare gli spiriti maligni e augurare ai propri bambini una vita lunga e prospera.

Shichi-Go-San e i sottili cambiamenti dell’era moderna

photo credits: amu-zen.com

Come la maggior parte delle tradizioni giapponesi, anche lo Shichi-Go-San mantiene quasi totalmente intatti i rituali del periodo Meiji. L’unica cosa caduta in disuso è la regola dei capelli. I bambini di cinque anni e le bambine di sette anni indossano ancora il kimono colorato per le visite ai santuari. Le bambine di tre anni solitamente indossano lo hifu (una veste simile ad un panciotto leggermente imbottito) insieme al proprio kimono. Alcuni bambini indossano abiti più vicini alle mode formali dell’occidente.

Oggi si scattano anche parecchie fotografie in questa occasione.

Ogni festeggiato, nel giorno dello Shichi-Go-San ruceve una busta decorata con all’interno le dolci Chitose ame (千歳飴), “la caramella dei mille anni”. Avvolte in carta di riso commestibile trasparente, queste caramelle ha forma di bastoncino, tradizionalmente di colore rosso e bianco sono simbolo di longevità.[:en]November 15th is the day of Shichi-Go-San (七五 三, 7-5-3). This festival celebrates the rite of passage for girls aged 3 and 7 and children aged 3 and 5. These numbers are considered particularly lucky, like all odd numbers.

photo credits: cacadoresdelendas.com.br

Shichi-Go-San is the culmination of three traditions developed in the Heian period. The celebration first started among the court nobles who celebrated the passage of their children to “average childhood”. It was then adopted by the Samurai class to mark the important growth milestones.

Up to 3 years of age, a child will have shaved hair. After the age of 3, they would then be allowed to grow their hair a little longer. 5-year-old males could wear the hakama (袴, a traditional garment that resembles a wide skirt-pants up to the ankles and tied to the waist) for the first time, while the seven-year-old girls replaced the simple cords, used to tie their kimonos, with the traditional obi (帯, the traditional silk belt). After the Meiji period, this practice was also adopted by ordinary citizens, introducing the ritual visit to a Shinto shrine to remove evil spirits and wish their children a long and prosperous life.

Shichi-Go-San and the subtle changes in the modern era

photo credits: amu-zen.com

Like most Japanese traditions, Shichi-Go-San keeps the rituals of the Meiji period almost completely intact. The only aspect falling into disuse is the hair rule. Five-year-old boys and seven-year-old girls still wear colourful kimono for visits to shrines.
The three-year-old girls usually wear the hifu (a dress similar to a slightly padded waistcoat) along with their kimono. Some children wear clothes closer to western fashion. Today many photos are taken in this occasion.
A decorated envelope containing sweet Chitose ame (千歳飴) will be given to each boy and girl celebrating the Shichi-Go-San day. The name ‘Chitose ame’ means “the candy of a thousand years”. It is wrapped in transparent edible rice paper and is shaped like a long thin stick. Traditionally red and white, it serves as a symbol of longevity.[:ja]November 15th is the day of Shichi-Go-San (七五 三, 7-5-3). This festival celebrates the rite of passage for girls aged 3 and 7 and children aged 3 and 5. These numbers are considered particularly lucky, like all odd numbers.

photo credits: cacadoresdelendas.com.br

Shichi-Go-San is the culmination of three traditions developed in the Heian period. The celebration first started among the court nobles who celebrated the passage of their children to “average childhood”. It was then adopted by the Samurai class to mark the important growth milestones.

Up to 3 years of age, a child will have shaved hair. After the age of 3, they would then be allowed to grow their hair a little longer. 5-year-old males could wear the hakama (袴, a traditional garment that resembles a wide skirt-pants up to the ankles and tied to the waist) for the first time, while the seven-year-old girls replaced the simple cords, used to tie their kimonos, with the traditional obi (帯, the traditional silk belt). After the Meiji period, this practice was also adopted by ordinary citizens, introducing the ritual visit to a Shinto shrine to remove evil spirits and wish their children a long and prosperous life.

Shichi-Go-San and the subtle changes in the modern era

photo credits: amu-zen.com

Like most Japanese traditions, Shichi-Go-San keeps the rituals of the Meiji period almost completely intact. The only aspect falling into disuse is the hair rule. Five-year-old boys and seven-year-old girls still wear colourful kimono for visits to shrines.
The three-year-old girls usually wear the hifu (a dress similar to a slightly padded waistcoat) along with their kimono. Some children wear clothes closer to western fashion. Today many photos are taken in this occasion.
A decorated envelope containing sweet Chitose ame (千歳飴) will be given to each boy and girl celebrating the Shichi-Go-San day. The name ‘Chitose ame’ means “the candy of a thousand years”. It is wrapped in transparent edible rice paper and is shaped like a long thin stick. Traditionally red and white, it serves as a symbol of longevity.[:]