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Christian McGhee
Mrs. LaBarre
Lit. Western Civ.
20 April 2015
Coming of Age Paper: Japan
There is a Japanese proverb that says, The tongue is but three inches long, yet it can kill a
man six feet high. In Japanese culture the majority of the people are respectful to each other.
They treasure each moment as something precious. In American culture people tend to focus on
themselves and forget about others. People often find themselves acting rude to one another,
because they woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Japan keeps these values at the engraved in
the laws of society. They do this by having rituals done for people coming of age. In Japanese
culture people come of age by keeping family structure, honoring cultural traditions, and
following rites of passage.
Following Japan's rites of passage is crucial in order to come of age. Japans rites of
passage ceremonies mark the age of a child. An example of this is when, 100 days after birth an
infant is presented at a local Shinto shrine for blessing (Japanese #332). Another example of
this is that on the 15th of November is "Shichi-Go-San," or "7, 5, 3," on which children of those
ages are taken to a shinto shrine to be blessed (Japanese #332). Originally this was for girls
three or seven years old and boys five years old. In Japan every family is supposed to do rites of
passage to their child. Its important, because it keeps Japanese tradition alive. Overall, following
Japans rites of passage respects Japanese ancestors as well as identifying the age of the child. The
third Monday of September is Respect for the Aged Day, a national holiday in Japan (Chavez).
Respect for the Aged Day is a day honoring the elderly. In Japan, Neighborhoods will have

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volunteers distribute free "bento" boxed lunches to elderly people in the neighborhood and
smaller villages will hold keirokai shows (Chavez). The younger kids will entertain them with
song and dance while they are being served food. Japans culture honors their elders. This is a
way for them to give back to their elders. This Respect for the Aged Day is more than a ceremony,
but its a heartfelt thanks from everyone in Japan.
Coming of Age Day is the day that new adults attend a special ceremony in Japan. In an
Allen and Sumida article they say this about coming of age, Starting at 5 a.m., more than 100
giggling girls and young boys begin arriving at Sugano Ogimi's beauty parlor and formalwear
shop for a final fitting for colorful kimonos and samurai-style hakamas (Allen and Sumida).
Allen and Sumida say this about clothes for Coming of Age Day, "Women traditionally wear
furisode kimonos- kimonos with long sleeves - and traditional zori slippers. Clothes for young
men vary, with many opting for dark business suits others a make kimono with the baggy hakama
or pantaloons (Allen and Sumida)." The amount of preparation they put into this special day is
amazing. The new adults in Japan dress to please their parents and honor their ancestors. Allen
and Sumida say this about how Coming of age day originated, "Coming of age day started in A.D.
714, when a prince dressed differently to show he was an adult (Allen and Sumida). During the
Edo Period boys became adults at age 15, and girls became adults at 13. Coming of age Day is
how the elderly in Japan honor the new adults. The ceremony is given to show the new adults
respect. This honors all the work that theyve done before becoming an adult.
Keeping Japans expectations for how family life should be lived is important in coming of
age. Japan has many cultural expectations for marriage and family life. For marriage they stick to
tradition by having a Shinto style wedding. In an article online about Japanese weddings it says
this, Shinto Weddings in the current form originated from the wedding ceremony held in 1900 of

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the then Crown Prince, subsequently the Emperor Taisho, at the Shinto Sanctuary in the Imperial
Palace (Shinto). Anne Imamura said this in an article about Japanese family life, In the
traditional family, marriage was viewed as a liaison between households, and the members of the
young couple had little or no say in the process. In fact, marriages were registered by the head of
the household and often only after the bride had proved herself by fitting into the family or
bearing an heir (Imamura). In modern Japanese families it is now most common to American
family life. Japanese life as an adult is not easy. When they become an adult they now have the
power to make all of their decisions on their own without their parents consent.
Honoring Japanese traditions are important in Coming of Age in Japan. Japanese cultural
traditions are still honored today. In an article about Kimonos this is said Nowadays, Japanese
people rarely wear kimonos in everyday life, reserving them for such occasions as weddings,
funerals, tea ceremonies, or other special events, such as summer festivals (Kimono). Japanese
religious practices are still used during special ceremonies. Shinto and Buddhism are Japan's two
major religions. In an article about Japanese Religion they said this, Most Japanese consider
themselves Buddhist, Shintoist or both (Religion). Japanese religion honors Japanese tradition.
Japanese Religion still remains at the forefront of Japanese culture. Even though its not super
obvious that they use these religious practice in everyday life, the majority of Japanese families
honor their ancestors by visiting shrines and praying at their house altar.
As Japanese people grow older they change the ending to their name. In an article about
Japanese names this is said -Chan is a general, informal term of endearment with overtones of
intense cuteness, most frequently used for girls, can also be used for small children, babies
(Japanese). -Kun is a term used with boy's names. -San is the most common ending to a name.
This is said about Japanese names, This is commonly translated and most closely related to the

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English "Mr." or "Ms." (Japanese). In Japanese culture when people give someone an ending
to their name its a sign of respect.
Overall, Japanese culture is a very courteous culture. In Asian culture in general they put
their last names first. They know that every action they do has an impact on their family name.
That is something that is important to them. They want to honor their family and ancestors.
Something Americans can learn to do is have respect and love for all people. Japanese people do
this by treating everyone with respect, honoring traditions, and rites of passage.

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Works Cited
Allen, David and Chiyomi Sumida. "Coming of Age Day, a Big Event for Japanese Youths, Is
Steeped in Tradition." Stripes. Stars and Stripes, 9 January 2004. Web. 24 March 2015.
Chavez, Amy. "What Is Respect for the Aged Day?"Planettokyo. Planet Tokyo, 2 September
2008. Web. 24 March 2015.
Imamura, Anne. "The Japanese Family." Columbia. Asia Society, 1990. Web. 8 April 2015.
"Japanese Honorifics." Tvtropes. Tvtropes, 5 November 2011. Web. 7 April 2015.
Japanese." Worldmark Encyclopedia of Cultures and Daily Life. Ed. Timothy L. Gall. Vol. 3,
Detroit: Gale research, 1998. Print. ("Japanese" #332). Web. 7 April 2015.
"Kimono." Web-Japan. Web-Japan, n.d. Web. 7 April 2015
"Religion in Japan." Japan-guide. Japan-guide, n.d. Web. 8 April 2015.
"Shinto Wedding." Tsurugaoka Hachimangu. Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, n.d. Web. 31 March
2015.
"Working in Japan." Just Landed. Just Landed, n.d. Web. 1 April 2015.