Shichi-go-san

Above is a photo of Roo with our Japanese language teacher, Morita san. He is holding “chitoseame” that she gave to him in celebration of shichi-go-san festival on November 15. Shichi-go-san is a right of passage into middle childhood for children ages 7-5-3. Wearing kimono, Girls celebrate at ages five and three, and boys, wearing hakama, celebrate at ages seven and five. The translation for “chitoseame” is “thousand year candy” and the red and white candy is packaged in a long stick or envelope to signify wishes for a long life full of sweetness. Roo's envelope came with a bell attached, which right now is hanging from his wooden doll house because it's the firehouse bell for the firefighters that live in the "doll/fire" house. So, between Halloween, Guy Fawke’s Night, and shichi-go-san, Roo’s received his fill of candy this week! This weekend we’ll get to see many adorably dressed children walking to the Shinto shrine to have prayers offered by a priest and partake in what’s probably the most anticipated photo opportunity in the young child‘s life.