Originating from the Heian Period, Shichi-Go-San carries with it centuries of ritual significance. Typically held during the fall, families bring their young children to a Shinto Shrine and report their current health to the deities, known as kami. A priest or priestess then purifies the audience and asks the kami for the continued health of the children. Assisting during the ceremony are miko shrine maidens, who hand out candy to the children and perform other rituals such as ringing sacred bells.

    In addition to reporting and praying for the good health of participating children, Shichi-Go-San also marks an important shift in age as it is often the first time children wear traditional Japanese dress, known as kimono. Three year old girls usually wear a padded vest called a hifu, while girls of seven years graduate to donning the more adult obi. The age of five is often when young boys start to wear hakama, the traditional Japanese leg garment. One of my most favored Japanese traditions, kimono are very colorful clothing often embossed with natural symbols such as flowers, mountains and animals. Because of this, seeing many children and adults wearing kimono together creates an almost magical show of color that is indeed a visually stunning experience.

    Four ceremonies spanning across two days is definitely a lot of work. However, the International Shinto Foundation did a fantastic job bringing participants together, dressing them in kimono, holding the ceremony in both English and Japanese and photographing families. Chief priestess Suzue Nitobe and her miko assistants Ms. Fukushima, Kan, Inagawa, Okada and Matsumae did a grand job conducting the ceremony. I was amazed by how carefully each movement was carried out, from purifying the audience with a paper wand to musically reciting a Shinto prayer. Narrating the event were Ms. Hitomi Yakata and Ms. Reina Hayashibara, both of whom did an extraordinary job. Furthermore, the Tenri Gagaku Music society of New York complimented the event with ceremonial music played on traditional Japanese instruments. The sounds created by flute, drum and Japanese koto helped transform the event into a classical and very memorable moment.

    I must say I am very appreciative of the International Shinto Foundation to invite me to their event and observe yet another of Japan’s wondrous ceremonies. It was very good to see a day in which children could celebrate their coming to age and parents could be recognized for their commitment to family. Furthermore, the International Shinto Foundation will also donate a portion of collected proceeds to UNICEF, thus making it a ceremony that all children throughout the world can benefit from. Finally, I truly wish everyone who participated good luck and health in their life and all members of the staff continued success in future events and ceremonies.

Cheers,