Urbanities,
Vol. 3
·
No 1
·
May 2013
© 2013
Urbanities
61
Molding of a Rite of Passage in Urban Japan:
Historical and Anthropological Perspectives
Melinda Papp
(ELTE University, Budapest)
This article focuses on the Japanese childhood ritual of Shichigosan and its changes over the last two centuries.
The transformation of Japanese society has affected traditional customs to a great extent, including rites of
passage. Social and economic processes such as urbanization, the rise of a consumer lifestyle and the
proliferation of commercial services influenced the shifting trends regarding the ritual that constitutes the case
study of this article. Evidence of commercialization of the celebration and the presence of consumption are often
categorized as negative indicators, implying a potential loss of ‘authenticity’. The discussion attempts to re-
interpret the role of consumption practices, arguing that these can be viewed in more positive terms and indeed
have a legitimate place within the creation of a ritual experience in modern urban contexts.
Keywords:
ritual, consumption, commercialization, urbanization, social change
In the highly industrialized and urbanized society of contemporary Japan, the childhood ritual
called Shichigosan is observed within the midst of a dense consumer culture. This ritual has
roots in a pre-urban past when it was previously observed in various forms by children
between the ages of two and seven. Today it is celebrated by children of three, five and seven
years of age. These age restrictions are reflected in the name of the ritual itself, as
Shichigosan
1
indicates the three numbers, literally Seven-Five-Three.
2
The actual date of the
ritual is November 15
th
but the single elements of the celebration can take place on different
days.
3
Typically, the celebration consists of worshiping in a Shinto shrine (or in Buddhist
temple), a visit to a professional photo studio or a family feast in a restaurant. One of the
most characteristic marks of the ritual is the festive clothing worn by the children, which is
most often a traditional Japanese ceremonial dress. The formal professional photographs
taken of the children dressed in elegant festive attire later occupy an important place in
family photo albums.
1
The name, Shichigosan entered everyday use only around the end of the 18
th
century. Before this
period, a number of different names were in use to indicate the series of rituals that differed greatly by
regions not only in name, but also in pattern.
2
Today it is typically observed for three and seven years old girls, and five years old boys (at times
boys of three as well).
3
The date of the celebration varies in different parts of the country. In many regions the event was
held on the fifteenth of the lunar month which was believed to be an auspicious day. Today parents
take their children to shrines on the closest weekend either before or after the 15th of November.
