January 10 was a national holiday in honor of everyone who will become 20 years old this year. That's about 1,240,000 new voters and new drinkers who will officially be considered adults by the end of 2011. All around Japan, events were held to mark the day and remind everyone that adulthood brings responsibilities along with privileges.
Speaking of privileges, there is one special privilege given to young women in this demographic: the "furisode" kimono! This is the one with the long, trailing sleeves that is an explosion of color tied up in back with an obi knotted to look like butterfly wings.
Women only get to wear this style from after high school until marriage. Like youth itself, the "furisode" kimono offers only a brief window of opportunity.
2011年1月11日火曜日
2010年1月12日火曜日
Welcome to the Year 22
For most of the world, this is the year 2010. In Japan, it is Year 22--the twenty second year of the Heisei Era, that is. The Heisei Era began when the present Emperor began his reign, and that was in 1989 by the rest of the world's calendar.
If you are Japanese, and you have to fill out an official document that includes a space for your birthday, you will see a blank line followed by the letters M, T, S, and H. The letters are shortcuts for the successive eras in Japan's calendar.
The Meiji Era sounds so long ago. For reference, it started just after America's Abraham Lincoln left the stage, and it ended the year the Titanic sank. You would have to be 98 years old or older to circle the M.
Taisho Era babies are a very exclusive group. The era lasted only fourteen years. The Showa Era, however, was a long one. Almost anyone now active in Japanese society circles the S when they write their birthdate.
That was true until yesterday.
January 11 was Coming of Age Day, a day to celebrate all the young people who officially become adults this year. This year, every single one of the new adults in Japan is a Heisei baby.
They are a small demographic now. Watch them grow!
If you are Japanese, and you have to fill out an official document that includes a space for your birthday, you will see a blank line followed by the letters M, T, S, and H. The letters are shortcuts for the successive eras in Japan's calendar.
The Meiji Era sounds so long ago. For reference, it started just after America's Abraham Lincoln left the stage, and it ended the year the Titanic sank. You would have to be 98 years old or older to circle the M.
Taisho Era babies are a very exclusive group. The era lasted only fourteen years. The Showa Era, however, was a long one. Almost anyone now active in Japanese society circles the S when they write their birthdate.
That was true until yesterday.
January 11 was Coming of Age Day, a day to celebrate all the young people who officially become adults this year. This year, every single one of the new adults in Japan is a Heisei baby.
They are a small demographic now. Watch them grow!
登録:
投稿 (Atom)
