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Coming Of Age Day
Coming of Age Day, celebrated on January 13 this year, is a national holiday in Japan, taking place every second Monday of January. This event is highly anticipated among individuals who reached the age of 20 in the prior year. It’s a communal and familial celebration marking the transition into adulthood. Women dress in luxurious ‘Furisode’ kimonos, while the day includes photoshoots, prayers, and parties to welcome young adults. Achieving adulthood is a significant and joyful milestone that comes with freedoms and responsibilities, celebrated in grand style.
History of Coming of Age Day
In Japan, turning 20 signifies a new chapter, celebrated with Coming of Age Day ceremonies. The tradition of celebrating Coming of Age, or ‘genpuku’, is believed to have existed since the late Asuka period (538-710), with the first documented event in 714 A.D. when Crown Prince Obito marked his transition into adulthood with a grand display, including new attire and hairstyle. Officially recognized as a holiday in 1948, the celebration was initially held on January 15 each year. With the Happy Monday System introduced in 2000, the date moved to the second Monday in January. In the earliest times, before 710, there was no specific age for the ceremony, with participants aged 10 to 25. Males from court nobility marked their Coming of Age with a ‘Cap Ceremony’, earning the right to wear the adult cap, ‘kammuri’. The day includes formal invitations from local governments for speeches. Men might wear suits or traditional hakama trousers, while women spend considerable time on hairstyling and kimono fitting. The day concludes with inspiring talks, gift-giving, photo sessions, and parties.
Coming of Age Day Timeline
- 794–1185: Reserved for the elite, such as nobles and samurai, to celebrate Coming of Age.
- 1603–1868: The ceremony for women, formerly ‘moji’, changes to ‘genpukku’.
- 1876: The legal adulthood age is set at 20 during the Meiji period.
- 2000: The celebration moves to the second Monday in January as part of the Happy Monday System.
Unique Coming of Age Traditions Worldwide
- In the walkabout tradition, adolescent boys in the Aborigine community live in the wilderness for up to six months.
- An Amazon tribe requires boys to wear gloves filled with biting ants 20 times for ten minutes, proving their adulthood by enduring pain silently.
Celebrating Coming of Age
- Family and Friends: Celebrate adulthood with close ones, creating lifelong sweet memories. Small gifts can make the occasion special.
- Attend Talks: Adulthood brings challenges. Attend local talks where experiences and life lessons are shared to prepare for the future.
- Social Media Trends: Join the fun with social media hashtags to make the day memorable. Share your own coming-of-age story.
Fun Facts About Coming of Age
- Tokyo Disneyland Celebrates: In 2016, over a thousand adults attended a Coming of Age ceremony at Tokyo Disneyland.
- Endurance in Northern Nigeria: The Fulani tribe marks the rite of passage by demonstrating endurance in front of villagers.
- Sweet 16 in the U.S.: The sixteenth birthday is a milestone, as driving becomes legal at this age.
- Jewish Bar Mitzvah: Jewish children celebrate Bar Mitzvah at age 13.
- Muslim Adulthood: After puberty, Muslim teens are considered adults with the same responsibilities, without an official ceremony.
Why We Love Coming of Age Day
- Cultural Identity: Traditions and culture enhance our identity. Coming of Age ceremonies express values, fostering continuity.
- Teaches Accountability: Adulthood brings responsibility, and these ceremonies help young adults understand accountability.
- Blueprint for Life: Adulthood is challenging, but learning from others’ experiences makes it manageable. Coming of Age ceremonies provide this opportunity through shared stories from older generations.
Upcoming Dates for Coming of Age Day
- 2023: January 9, Monday
- 2024: January 8, Monday
- 2025: January 13, Monday
- 2026: January 12, Monday
- 2027: January 11, Monday
For more insights, visit Find No More.
What is the date of Coming Of Age Day every year?
