Departments
Intermediate Japanese - Free Online Course
SHICHI-GO-SAN
七五三
"Seven-Five-Three Festival"
The shichi-go-san festival is held every November 15th. The holiday takes its name from the belief that the ages seven, three, and five are especially important milestones in the development of a child. On this day, parents take their children who fall into these age groups to a nearby Shinto shrine to pray for their future health and prosperity. The children themselves dress up for this occasion, and girls usually wear bright kimonos-- which are often prepared especially for the festival.
Parents also take their children’s pictures to commemorate the day. As an added bonus for the children themselves, there is a special shichi-go-san festival candy, called chitosame (literally “1000 years of age candy”).