Shichi-Go-San (七五三), or "Seven-Five-Three," is a rite of passage for young children in mid-November. Families dress their three-, five- and seven-year-olds in fine traditional clothes and take them to a shrine. There they give thanks that the children have grown and pray for their health. It is one of the gentlest and most photogenic events of the Japanese year.
The meaning of the numbers
The festival marks ages tied to old customs of childhood. Each age was a step out of infancy. At about three, boys and girls could start to grow their hair long. At five, boys put on the hakama, formal pleated trousers, for the first time. At seven, girls first tied their kimono with a real obi sash instead of a child's cord. In Japan the odd numbers three, five and seven bring luck. In the old days, many children died young. So reaching these ages was a real reason for thanks and celebration.
The visit and the sweet
On or around November 15, parents dress their children in haregi (晴れ着), "clothes for a special day." Girls wear bright kimono. Boys wear hakama and short haori jackets, or sometimes Western formal clothes. The family visits a shrine, where a priest may bless the child. Almost every family also takes formal photos to remember the day. The symbol of the day is chitose-ame (千歳飴), "thousand-year candy." This long, thin stick of red and white candy comes in a decorated bag. Its length stands for a wish for a long and healthy life. Children carry it proudly. It is a sweet token of the hope behind the whole festival.
Words & idioms to take away
Idioms & proverbs to carry away
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千歳飴 (chitose-ame): "thousand-year candy," the long red-and-white sweet that children receive at Shichi-Go-San. Its length is a wish for a long life.
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晴れ着 (haregi): "clothes for a bright day," the fine kimono or outfit for festive days like Shichi-Go-San. It comes from hare, a word for things formal, lucky and public.