In Japanese Culture, Seijin-shiki is the ‘Coming-of-Age Day.’ The Japanese cities and prefect offices invite all those who will reach twenty years old during the current school year to celebrate their passage into adulthood. The present day Seijin-Shiki has its roots in “Seinen Matsuri”, the youth festival held in Saitama prefecture. It was first practiced post World War II to encourage young people to have hope for bright futures despite the shrinking feeling and depression after the loss of the war.

Today, in the city on the day of Seijin-Shiki, you see many women wearing long sleeve Kimono called “Furi-sode”, meaning swinging sleeves. Men wear Mon-tuki Hakama, the Kimono of his family crest, and Hakama worn over Kimono, which is tied at the waist and falls to the ankles.

It is tradition that once you turn 20, you go and get dressed in these Kimonos and photographed. So here are my photos for when I turned 20!! Just wanted to share 🙂