Coming of Age Day

In Japan, 20 is the legal age for voting, drinking, and the beginning of other adult privileges and responsibilities. Essentially, it's the age people make the transition into adulthood and is recognized as a very important time in one's life. In fact, the second Monday of each year in Japan (today) is a national holiday called Seijinnohi (Coming of Age Day) and is dedicated to all those who have turned 20 in the previous year. The new adults attend ceremonies in their local area and dress up--males in suits or tuxedos (and occasionally in traditional Japanese clothing) and females in special formal kimono called furisode. Often on Seijinnohi, you will see friends hanging out in public places to show off their fine clothes. The group of girls in the below picture were celebrating at the mall in Shimonoseki. They were kind enough to pose for this photo.

Girls dressed in furisode for their special day.

Today on www.thebugbrothers.blogspot.com: New Zealand Tree Weta