Coming of age ceremoies?

[deborah gormley]

I recently read an article on one of Thomas's reference pages, it was referring to disturbances by youths at a Mayors speach to the adults who had come of age, My question is, "Whats the reason for these celebrations?" It seemed to be a main event in a town and the event its self was attended by hundreds of young people, is this tradition? do all young young adults celebrate? or is this only for the elite?

Thanks

[thomas]

Hi Deb,

I have moved the thread to the Japan FAQ section, I hope you don't mind.


Since I'm the reference guy (see my new sig, hehe), I'll list a few resources from our directory

=> http://jin.jcic.or.jp/kidsweb/calend...ijinshiki.html

Kjeld Duits, a Dutch photographer located in Kobe, had a nice series of pics on his homepage last January (he took shots of a few truly beautiful girls... )


Hehe, hope Nahoko doesn't see this post...

Here's the link

=> http://ikjeld.com/features/seijinshi...ng-of-age.html

Schauwecker also has some info

=> http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2280.html

That should give you a basic idea.

[deborah gormley]

hehe Hi reference guy,lol

those pics where truly stunning and I wish for the day I come of age lolol


I'm glad you moved the thread the second I posted it I realised it was in the wrong place


I should get my Jr status back untill I figure out what I'm doing wrong

love the new sig Thomas, its definately you!

[thomas]

Thanks Deb! Actually, it was Moyashi who gave me my new identy. *G*

By the way, you can change your user title to whatever you like in the User Control Panel (you don't have to stay "Member" for the rest of this forum's life)...

[moyashi]

ahhh great ... everybody get's a cool nic and not me!
that's why I've never really liked my Danish name of "Carsten" .... it's too difficult for Americans and Japanese to think up a nick name

coming of age is also probably like the Jewish Barmitzph (ughh can't spell)

Recently, these ceremonies have become boring ... lolo ... Japanese love to give 5 minute speeches and if you have to listen to 3-4 jiji's (old farts) ... you'll die of boredom.

Also, with each younger generation the ties to old seem to weaken therefore leaving this day more as a "group" birthday that is celebrated downtown in the drinking districts.

This ceremony is open to all who will or have turned 20 during the year. Threfore the birthday reference above.

I wonder how traditional this is???

@cutegirls
you're just totally infactuated with kimono's aren't ya ;)

[deborah gormley]

Its a celabration worth holding on too and one that will be remembered how ever you decide to spend it, in a pub or having to lisen to an old jiji, its celabrated in a crowd and your not on your own, and its true tradition has become weaker in all societys with the introduction of power and new found identidies, it should be told as stories as we grow up to keep it alive in the young,


moyashi you dont need a new nic name (Iv just learnt how to spell it without having to check the spelling. lolol).

[thomas]

Originally posted by moyashi
@cutegirls
you're just totally infactuated with kimono's aren't ya

I'll restrict any further discussion of this topic to PMs.

[thomas]

Originally posted by moyashi
coming of age is also probably like the Jewish Barmitzph (ughh can't spell)

Bar Mitzvah for boys and Bath Mitzvah for girls; however, it's a religious ceremony, something like the "Coming of Religious maturity" (please holler if I'm wrong).

I remember that many former Communist countries had their own "Coming of age" celebrations, being initiations to become a full member of socialist society, I remember I've seen such a rite once in the GDR, with uniforms, torches and formal speeches, really spooky.

[tosh]

(Stage wisper) Hakol beseder?

[thomas]

Yesh tamid tikva...

[moyashi]

hmmm oh well... nobody's caught on to my nic;)