Kimono Beauties – Coming of Age Day
The coming of age day, the Seijin no hi, is one of the best public holidays in Japan. Even though very few foreigners are in a position to participate there is nothing better than just walking around Tokyo on the day (always a Monday) and see all the gorgeous young people dressed up for their big day. Where I’m from and I guess it is the same in many other western countries, coming of age day is mostly alcohol related. Although early January is very cold, there are few better days to spend an entire day walking around! The kimono is also a surprisingly warm garment, on the few occasions I have worn it I have never been cold. Enjoy!
Those kimonos are gorgeous (and of course cost a fortune … to the parents! ^^;) The young people must have been happy that you were taking their photos. Did you talk to them afterwards?
I think most parents these days refrain from buying new kimono and mothers have their daughters use their own or rent instead of buying new. Still, it’s going to be hundreds of dollars to get the full kit, the hairdo and everything else! This year I was in a hurry and didn’t talk to anyone, last year I spent much more time and talked to as many people as I could! And anyway, I don’t approach young women I don’t know (^-^;) If they are there with their parents it is much easier though! (^-^)
Beautiful – hand bag and the odd large fur wrap/collar included. Thank you so much for telling us about this custom. So, does everyone of a certain age use this day or is there more than one a year?
Thank you for the kind comment! It’s a little fluid, the day and the ceremony is only once a year but depending on birtdates, personal preference etc. there are a few people who celebrate this when they are almost 20 years old. However you do it is a once in a life time and one of the three major points in the life journey of a Japanese citizen (coming of age, graduation, marriage).
Wow! Japan is so amazing.. I just love how different Asian countries are..
Thank you for the kind comment! Love your photos by the way, so good to see HK again. I used to live there a long long time ago!
Wow… Amazing kimonos! I love the colors and the patterns!
Thanks a lot for sharing these beautiful pics!
I’ll keep an eye on your blog.
Thank you for the kind words Eric! I am looking forward to seeing your blog as well, Parisbling? (^-^)
My blog is only a project right now, I miss time to build it. It will be about fashion in the streets.
I’ll spread the word when it’s ready.
Have a nice day!
Thank you Eric! Looking forward to! (^-^)
I love the first girl! She’s so hin ga ii even though so young. I don’t understand why people want to do yamanba-hair with kimono, but oh well… >_<;; Kimono is warm indeed because of all the layers… I feel sorry for women in old Japan who wore them daily (with no air conditioner!) But they must have gotten used to it.
To each their own! I think it is important that they are true to themselves, if they really are yamanba they should stick to it when celebrating their coming of age! (^-^) I remember my own… haha… I think women in earlier times wore much less clothes than we do today during the summer. (^-^;) Underwear for the kimono is a fairly recent addition (after the war I think).
Beautiful photos and the kimonos are amazing. Love the bright colors. Maybe a little bit of a weird question… are they wearing white socks or nylons… and are they specially made to use with sandals/flipflops?
Thank you! There is a special sock for the kimono called tabi, they are usually white and made of cotton, with a seperate big toe so that you can wear the kimono sandals. Everyone wear tabi in traditional Japan! From ninja to house maids. (^-^)
The girls in the orange & peach kimonos are the ones I like best.
I also couldn’t help noticing the mothers in their aggressively high-heeled shoes. Wow. My ankles hurt just thinking about it!
Yes, I think you, me and Juuri share the same taste! It must be our exalted ages and wisdom… haha…
Hmm, I will just join to the previous comments, lovely, gorgeous etc.
The pretty lady on the first picture – and I guess the third? – looks more grown up compared to the other girls..for me at least
Hi Timi! Thank you for the kind comment! Yes, I think she does too, her kimono isn’t as flashy as the others, so probably it’s a family heirloom. Obviously she has excellent taste!
I agree too. …
Really beautiful kimonos and great tradition!!
I like the orange ones the most….
Lovely couples
Thank you Lili! Yes, the orange one is my favorite too! (^-^)
I want to see a video of you talking with them! Your approach sounds like my husband’s. He too likes to talk to the Japanese people randomly but avoids talking to a girl if she’s alone. He has lots of fun talking to a bunch of high school students!
Haha… Your husband is obviously very well mannered! (^-^)
Some of the kimonos look really gorgeous.
Some of the girls look much older than 20!
I’ve never really seen the ceremony or young women in kimonos. I’m not even sure if we have any place to celebrate it in our small city or if they go somewhere else for it. I usually have to work on that day anyways.
I can clearly see that you took the photos in a bigger city. Some of the girls have dyed hair and far too much make-up *g*
Awesome photos as always!
Thank you! How big is your city? If it has at least a city office (市役所) there should be a ceremony even if they might have to borrow a school hall for it. Yes, dyeing your hair is almost mandatory in the big cities these days, and on this day in particular a lot of people wear even more make up than usual I guess. Most of them have it applied at a hair salon or kimono studio early in the morning so every hair salon in the country is booked solid on that day!
thanks, I like that your photos are at the temple, kind of makes it feel like part of the festivities. I saw them in the streets, which is also a fun kind of surprise, these bright gems, starting life as ‘adults’. I love Japanese traditional life, not just as a tourist but with real respect.
zoomingjapan takes great photos, and it’s funny because she says she doesn’t and just points and clicks! but your blog(and hers) inspires us all to take photos and appreciate our surroundings
Thank you Vish! Yes, I admire Zoomingjapan’s blog too, it’s good to see another side of Japan than just Tokyo (and my occasional trips around the country) and of course lovely photos! I also respect Japan, it is the people of Japan that makes this country great and the best thing is that any country can be great if its people just make it so! (^-^)
Eu amo ver kimonos! Um mais bonito que o outro! A propósito… ainda deve estar um frio aí no Japão! =)
Obrigado! É inverno mid e muito frio! (*^-^*)
It’s so interesting to see the mix of modern with traditional dress. The fur is a bit confusing, it makes me think gangster gun moll. I think that may just be me though. But the contrast just adds to the story in my head.
D… yes, the fur confused me too! In the old days at winter the really wealthy ladies of the cities would wear real fur keep warm in winter and these days with cheap well made fake fur it is an easy fashion for any young girl to follow. They only wear it outside and since I only take photos of them outside it gives us a bit of a skewed impression. Some day I’d like to see them indoors as well!
The kimonos are absolutely beautiful. And the girls look stunning. I remember going to a Japanese event back in July last year and I tried out a kimono, they certainly are comfortable and I wished to take it home with me!
It’s so lovely to see traditions such as these. Wonderful as always.
Thank you Sabine! Yes they are gorgeous! Maybe you tried a yukata and not a kimono? Yukata is for summer, is easy to wear and quite comfortable whereas the kimono is more a winter garment and usually “comfort” is not a word associated with this type of dress! (^-^;) Or you are just one of those rare but lucky people who feel more comfortable in this type of rigid clothes (I do too). (^-^)
The one I tried on was from a company that does hiring of kimono and accessories. From what I can gather on their website, it was a Furisode, similar to the ones in your photographs. I remember it being quite long for my height, and it being slightly heavy, but also loving it along with the obi ^_^
Yes! Very cool. The furisode are the long “sleeves” that are traditionally worn by younger or unmarried women. Lucky you! (^-^) Any photos on your blog?
I found it really interesting when I read what the long sleeves and a furisode is traditionally worn for. Never knew it until now. I haven’t put any photos up yet, but I’ll be willing to put one up ^-^’
(they won’t be as fantastic quality and beauty compared to your photographs though!)
Looking forward to seeing them! (^-^)
i love the Kimono on the last shot you have. I also really like the moments that you captured of the couples! It is a very tender moment I think mostly the first couple! So cute! I feel like you really know what you are shooting or you know how to capture that moment just right!
Thank you! Yes she was a good model, very concentrated on taking her photo so I had time to get the focus and settings right. (^-^) And the first couple was absolutely gorgeous together, I don’t really care for myself but seeing others happy like that is just great!
I imagine you’d make a great family photographer because you really manage to capture those moments perfectly! They are really too cute!!
Thank you! If I ever get a family of my own they will probably be the most photographed family in the world! (^-^;)