Coming of age day

I’ve come to look forward to the Coming of Age day or what the Japanese call as Seijin no Hi (成人式) – that second Monday of January holiday wherein the young 20 year olds of Japan are celebrated and encouraged as they cross the threshold into adulthood. I look forward to it not because I can participate in the festivities but because it is such to sight to behold the streets of Japan teeming with young adults garbed in their best kimonos, kimonos so impressive in design you’d wonder how much it costs.

I was on my way to the office when I saw these young women whose pictures were being taken by their parents. I asked if they can indulge me to take their picture and they happily gave their consent.
Pretty aren’t they?

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Look how elaborate their obis are.

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Here’s one up close.

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The men wear their kimono too but really it’s the women whom I look forward to see because of how elaborate their kimonos are. Makes one wish for a girl in the family. 🙂 🙂