In January every year in Japan there is a National Holiday to celebrate the "Coming of Age" for all young people reaching the age of majority-20 years during the past year. To give them hope and encourage for the future.
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Coming of Age Day 2010
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In Japan every year in January, there's a National Holiday to celebrate "Coming of Age Day" or "Seijin no Hi". It's held to congratulate and encorage all those who have reached the age of majority or 20-years over the past year. There are many "Coming of Age Ceremonies" held by the Prefectures. They started in about 714 AD.
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fountain at a shrine
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The young people visit shrines to offer prayers
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and buy good fortune tokens which are hung on trees or in this case in the shape of a rabbit
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most of the young women wear beautiful furisodes, a form of kimono with long sleeves, and zori sandals
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a shrine in Kobe City
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Rabbit sign at the shrine
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many other people visit the shrines to admire the beautiful furisodes worn by the young women
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people lining up to buy good fortune tokens
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I love the woodwork of the shrines and temples
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the fuisodes can be very expensive to buy
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costing between $5000 to $10,000
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but they can also be rented for about $1,000
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but there's also the cost of a visit to the hair salon and make-up salon
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good fortune tree
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a good day for shrine business
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mod car with bouncy suspension owned by a teen I guess?
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stopping for one of many photo's!
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this young women was wearing her furisode in a new way, off the shoulder-very sexy!
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and another
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new adults-the future is theirs!
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the men have a good day too!
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meeting up with friends for an evening party
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decorations for the day in an underground mall
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new young adults returning from a ceremony at the Prefecture Office!
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waterfall in subway
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young men with tradional costume and western style