History of Seijin no hi in Japan
Coming of age ceremonies have been around for years in Japan. During the Edo period, 1603-1868, there was a ceremony called genpuku, which was for boys ages 12-17, and one for girls between 12-14, called mogi.
This celebration was the first time that the children wore adult clothing and changed their haircuts.
On November 26, 1946 a young leader called Shoujirou Takahashi organizd a youth festival day to boost the morale of the young people in the time after the war. The event then spread throughout Japan and was declared a national holiday in 1948.
The holiday was at first celebrated on January 15th of every year, but when the Happy Monday System came to be in 2000, the date was changed to the second Monday in January.
This celebration was the first time that the children wore adult clothing and changed their haircuts.
On November 26, 1946 a young leader called Shoujirou Takahashi organizd a youth festival day to boost the morale of the young people in the time after the war. The event then spread throughout Japan and was declared a national holiday in 1948.
The holiday was at first celebrated on January 15th of every year, but when the Happy Monday System came to be in 2000, the date was changed to the second Monday in January.