Time becomes adult
This day is celebrated worldwide, in all countries, however, in different ways. Somewhere everything is limited to the festive feast, in other places – a religious ceremony, in the third – a purely stationery procedure (hand-held passport). After all, we are talking about the day of the age. In most countries, it is purely personal, in the extreme case a family, holiday, because a birthday, which means that the day of the majority of each. But in Japan, the country where the centuries were brought up with a sense of belonging to a single team, a single country, the day of the majority (Sadezin-butie) for all young men and girls alone. And it is noted throughout the country in the second Monday of January.
But it was not always so. It is believed that for the first time the day of the age of majority was noted in Japan in 714. Then the young prince, the heir to the throne, on the recommendation of the priests changed the hairstyle and the form of clothing, thereby noting his entry into an adult age. Until the middle of the XIX century, boys, boys and girls became adults at different times. In the series of shinotos rites, this ceremony was called Gampuk, which meant approximately the following: "New hairstyle". The boy between the ages of 10 and 16 yield the curls should be slaughtered and tied the remaining hair into a pigtail stacked on. It was a hairstyle (Ebosi) adult man, samurai. At the same time, the boy changed the child name for adults. For girls, the ceremony was somewhat different. With the help of the elders, they endured an adult kimono for the first time, ink paint teeth, sometimes swiss eyebrows. It happened between the ages of 12 and 16 and was called Mogi ("Wear a dress"). And boys and girls at the end of this ceremony were considered adults, could marry, they had a complete measure of responsibility for what was happening in the family.
In 1876, the Government of Japan, comparing national traditions with foreign customs, adopted a decree on a new turn of the onset of adulthood. For young men and girls, a single term was determined – 20 years. But only in 1948 this event began to be celebrated as the national holiday Sadezin-butie. Since then, every year on January 15, the whole country happily celebrated the growth of adults.
Why in january and it is one day? Obviously, it was associated with the ancient national traditions, when January 1 was considered for all Japanese in the birthday. In the old days, regardless of whether a person was born at the beginning or end of the year, with the onset of the first January day, he was considered a year older. To the feast of the majority did not impose on New Year’s celebrations, he was shifted for mid-January. And in 1999, so that the holiday does not coincide with the usual Sunday afternoon, he was transferred to the second Monday of January.
So, in the feast of Sadezin-ke, the whole population of the country can take part, but the true heroes are those who have already been 20 years old. If the birthday is coming, say, next after Sadezin, but the day, the celebration is postponed until next year. Annually "On the ruler" hundreds of thousands of people come. In 2004 there were 1.52 million. In 2005 – a little less. And so every year. The life expectancy in the country is growing, the birth rate decreases. Therefore, perhaps celebrate less and less than Japanese. This is a serious demographic problem, but the conversation is not about it now.
How is the holiday? In every mayor’s office, in cities and towns, the head of the local administration holds Sadezin Siki – "The ceremony of adults". Entered into a new phase of their lives of young men and girls congratulated local celebrities – actors, athletes, influential businessmen. They utter part-time speeches, remind of civil debt, new rights and obligations, give traditional souvenirs – fountain pen, clock, memorial medals. Sometimes to give what is happening a modern look, mayors in the framework of the ceremony are organized by a fun lottery or choral singing under karaoke. On this holiday could be finished. But the participants themselves, and the organizers of the celebrations invest in what is happening more.
First of all, every 20-year-old must visit the local temple. Now that the overwhelming majority of the Japanese do not consider themselves religious, it is only a purely formal gesture. But earlier a visit to the temple was attached very important meaning. The young man appeared in front of his heavenly patrons as it were in new quality. His name changed – from children’s for adult, his appearance changed. And the gods were to see and remember their matured swelling. (Something like this happens in all the armies of the world, when the new rank or the military assignment is with the submission to the authorities.)
Very many traditions of this holiday are associated with changing dresses. And young men and girls parents are preparing festive (adults!) Outfits. But if young men can now be limited to a European dark suit that have long been replaced by the traditional cape of the Hakami and Hakam’s pants, then women are worried about this occasion a lot more. It is accepted that every 20-year-old, regardless of the failure of the family, met Sadezin-kee in the new festive kimono. If the young men are always useful to the young people in the subsequent life, then the fashion for everyday kimono has already gone, and therefore the outfit prepared for the holiday, the next day may be for many years, if not forever, to be in the chest. Someone can afford it, others are forced to take an expensive dress for rent. In Japanese salons engaged in this type of business, a third of all income falls on the days of Ceidzin-kee. As demand is so great, it is necessary to order outfits for six months, and even a year before the holiday.
Not every kimono is suitable for this event. The girl should appear "in light" In bright winter (it happens at the coldest season) Kimono with long, almost to the floor with sleeves. This style is called Furisode. Kimono is decorated with a lush tie belt tied and snow-white fluffy scarf – Boa. On the legs – traditional slippers of Dzori, but very expensive, whose design is consistent with the patterns of Kimono. It is necessary to get used to this shoe, and it does not surprise anyone, if by the end of the evening, young babe, before that wearing only sneakers, starts to inheem. The kit includes and respectively chosen little handbag.
Single liberty – in the selection of colors and drawing of the dress. Each girl chooses to his taste, so the January holiday is sometimes compared with the arrival of exotic butterflies. The beauty of youth is emphasized by exquisite clothes, and young Japanese women on this day really remind those who affect the beauty of their sleeves of carefree moths.
To correctly cite a girl in Furisode, considerable efforts. Universal Fashion Jeans Passed Kimono from the Life of the Japanese Young Generation. And now, moms and grandmothers have a lot of soak, bringing a girl outfit in line with the canons of an old fashion. Sometimes it is necessary to invite Kitzuque kimuquet – Dressing specialists from the National Dress. But it will also need no less than half an hour to do everything according to the rules.
This day is unique, and therefore an integral part of the festive ceremony is photographing. Relatives and friends repeatedly click "Nikonami" And simple "Soapnya", Imprinting the perpetrators of the celebration on the threshold of the temple, at the entrance to the mayor’s entrance, in front of local attractions. But it is only a preparation for a real photo shoot. Each photo student on this day causes from vacation, with a pension rest of all masters. After all, each of the 20-year-olds should get their official portrait, which will then decorate the family album, will turn into a frame on the wall, and on this image, as on the standard, the Japanese will mark the flight flight, quietly about the days of the left youth.
The cost of hireing kimono, services of assistant on his wear, as well as photographing is calculated in several thousand dollars. If the kimono is sewn new, expenses increase on the order and comparable, say, with the purchase of an expensive car. And still coming the cost of hairstyle, not to mention the festive table, which will be attended by all family members, friends, colleagues, neighbors. It is clear why the family is beginning to prepare for this holiday for several years, cutting.
What gives the ceremony of Sadezin-but hee to young Japanese? They become full-fledged members of society, get the right to smoke, drink and vote in elections. From now on, they come out from under parental care. What is there to be surprised if they forget to appear in the evening for a family holiday, preferring relatives party in a circle of peers? Floating feeling of permissiveness leads to the fact that the new citizens of Japan then have to be delivered at the houses of the dead. And the girls, according to the Japanese press, are often part of this day and with such a heritage of childishness as chastity. However, this concerns only those who managed to preserve it in previous years.
Be that as it may, this, it would seem, a purely formal ceremony turned into a holiday, who gladly celebrates the whole country, regardless of age.
