Many thanks for joining Tokyo Free Walking Tour in Asakusa on October 23rd, We welcomed 5 people from Armenia, Germany and Vietnam. It was a little chilly but nice weather in the middle of autumn. We enjoyed seeing children wearing cute dresses around the Asakusa shrine. The photos we took during the tour are posted.
The Shichi-Go-San season has arrived again this year. Shichi-Go-San is an annual event that celebrates the healthy growth of children and offering thanks and prayers at shrines and temples. It is an important celebration for children of 3(San)-year-old boys and girls, 5(Go)-year-old boys and 7(Shichi)-year-old girls for growing up and wishing for their future blessings. It is traditionally held on November 15th.
Why is Shichi-Go-San celebrated?
It is said that children are “gifts” from the gods. It refers to a local guardian god. Therefore, when a child is born, a shrine visit to a local shrine is held about one month after birth to report and express gratitude. It is said that a child is “a child of a god until the age of seven,” and during the early years after birth, the soul is not yet established. Repeated celebratory rituals are meant to solidify the soul.
Why do you celebrate at the ages of three, five, and seven?
Shichi-Go-San was a custom in the samurai society of the Edo period to celebrate the milestones in a child’s growth. At three, children begin to walk on their own, at five they become mischievous and need to be kept an eye on, and at seven they enter society (nowadays they start elementary school). These are worrying times for parents, but the auspicious numbers of Shichi-Go-San are used to mark these times, and watching over children’s growth with smiles on the faces of the family remains as important today as it was in the past.
Why is Shichi-Go-San traditionally celebrated on November 15th?
It happened to be November 15th in 1681 when the 5th Shogun, Tsunayoshi of the Edo period（1603-1867）prayed for good health of his unhealthy son, Tokumatsu on his 3rd birthday. Then, Tokumatsu grew up healthily. Since then, this tradition spread to commoners and the Shichi-Go-San date has come to November 15th. There are other theories. In recent years, more families are choosing to visit shrines and temples a few weeks before and after November 15th to avoid overcrowding or at their own convenience.
Which of temples or shrines should be visited for Shichi-Go-San celebration?
There is no rule whether you visit a shrine or a temple for Shichi-Go-San, but more people seem to prefer a shrine to a temple for Shichi-Go-San. This comes from the fact that Japan’s indigenous religion is Shinto, and it is believed that a local Shinto god will protect children. Generally, it is widely accepted that people visit a shrine.
Shichi-Go-San is a significant event for children to remember throughout their lives. Their parents express their gratitude to the Shinto gods for their child’s growth so far and pray for their future healthy growth. If you are lucky, you will be able to meet boys and girls wearing cute dresses during the next couple of weeks, mainly at shrines throughout Japan.
Thank you for joining the Asakusa tour and we look forward to seeing you on many future occasions.
(Yoshi)