七五三Shichi-Go-San

"Shichi-Go-San" literally means seven, five and three in Japanese. "Shichi-Go-San" is a traditional Japanese ceremony celebrating the growth, good health and long life for three and five years old boys and three and seven years old girls. They wear traditional costume "Kimono".

We go to a shrine or a temple to celebrate children’s growth.

The parents gave them long stick candy which are red and white. Those colors are considered auspicious for Japanese. The candy name is "Chitose ame". "Chitose" means one thousand years. Long candy symbolizes meaning of "Shichi-Go-San", wishing for a long healthy life of children.

"Shichi-go-san" is one of the few chances when you can see Japanese Kimono in end of October or November. I wore Wedding Kimono in the Shrine.