Hello, I am Yoshi from NILS Japanese language school. Today’s topic is one of the traditional annual events, shichi go san 七五三 or Seven-five-three cerebration. The word shichi, go and san literally mean seven, five and three respectively. These numbers represent the age of children. The seven-five-three celebration is conducted for girls at the age of three and seven, and boys at the age of three and five, on November 15th. The children usually are dressed up in kimonos and taken to a shrine to pray for future blessings. It is customary for parents to buy them long red and white candy sticks called chitose ame. “Chitose” means a thousand years of age. The candy symbolizes a long life with happiness. Since all the family members are beautifully dressed up, it is common to take memorial pictures at a photo studio.



November 15th News, from NILS Japanese language school.