Shichi Go San

Shichi Go San is a naming ceremony in Japan that celebrates the growth of children age 3, 5, and 7 years. The celebration carried out by parents every year around November 15, and is not a holiday.

Shichi go san literally means "seven, five, and three." This age is considered to be important in the life of a child. In particular, at the age of seven, a young girl celebrates wearing the first obi, while at the age of five years of a young boy celebrates wearing his first shorts in public. Age three marks the first time where both boys and girls are allowed to let their hair grow.

Age is believed to be a milestone in life, and odd numbers according to Chinese tradition believed to bring good luck. Children who are old enough to be participants Shichi Go San dressed in a kimono and taken to a Shinto shrine to pray. Their parents take advantage of this opportunity to capture a child - his son who was well dressed with a picture taken at a photo studio.

Brief History

In the old days, a child mortality rate is very high that the tradition of celebrating the birth of children who reach a certain age among family farmers in Japan. This tradition extends to the samurai who added a number of ceremonies. Girls and boys aged 3 years following the ceremony marking the start dipanjangkannya Kamioki child's hair after previously always been shaved off. Children aged 5 years follow-gi hakama ceremony that marked the first time the child begins to wear hakama and haori. The daughter followed the ceremony Obitoki Himo-otoshi marks the change of kimono worn girls, from kimono children roped into the following kimono obi such as those used for adults. Shichi Go San opportunity is often the first opportunity for girls to make up her face.

The festival began in the Heian period (794-1185) in which the nobles celebrated the growth of their children on the lucky day in November. The festival is then determined at month - 15 during the Kamakura period (1185-1333).

Since the Gregorian calendar used in Japan, the celebration was held on 15 November. In an age now, time to bring children to the temple as Shichi Go San is adjusted by time off parents. Children should be brought to the temple at any time during the month of November (Saturday, Sunday or holiday), and not necessarily exactly on November 15. In Hokaido and areas with very cold winter, cold air is around November 15 so that the celebration is often done a month early on October 15.

After a visit to the shrine, parents buy Chitose-ame (candy "thousand years") for their children. Candy is shaped like a stick and put in a bag with a picture of heron and turtles. Two of these animals is a symbol of longevity. Candy and bags of both expression of the desire of parents that their children will live a long and prosperous life.

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Hinamatsuri

Hinamatsuri is a celebration of a girl who is celebrated annually on March 3 in Japan which was help to pray for the growth of girls. Hinamatsuri derived from the word 'despicable' meaning princess or girls and 'Matsuri' which means celebration. The family whose daughter was displaying a set of dolls called hinaningyo.

One set consists of a stuffed doll emperor, empress, princess castle (a lady's maid), and the court musician who describes the traditional wedding ceremony in Japan. Clothes worn on the doll is a kimono style Heian period. This celebration is often called the Doll Festival or Girls Festival because the game originated among the princess doll called hiina asobi.

Brief History

Before the Japanese use the Gregorian calendar (calendar AD), Hinamatsuri celebrated on the day 3^rd months 3^rd according to the Lunisolar calendar. The day is also called no sekku momo (peach flower festival), because it coincided with the blossoming peach flowers. Start the Gregorian calendar used in Japan since January 1, 1873 so that the celebration of Hinamatsuri changed to March 3. However, some people still choose to celebrate Hinamatsuri Lunisolar calendar based on calculations (around April of the Gregorian calendar).

Although called Matsuri, is more a celebration of family gatherings at home, and just celebrated by a family who has a daughter. Before the day of celebration arrived, the children helped their parents out of the puppets storage box for display. The day after Hinamatsuri, dolls should be saved because it was believed to absorb evil spirits and bad luck.

But in a number of classical literature written about the habits of play dolls among girls royal palaces of the Heian period (around the 8th century). According to estimates, the doll is played with the dollhouse in the form of the palace. Game among girls is known as the despicable asobi (play doll princess). In principle, hina asobi is a game and not a ritual.

Starting around the end - 19th century (Edo period) until the beginning of the Meiji period (January 25, 1868), Hinamatsuri doll which originally consisted only of a pair of emperor and empress dolls developed into one complete set of the following dolls princess palace, musicians, and miniature castles, furniture Household and kitchen. Since then, the doll on display at the top dankazari (ladder for display), and people all over Japan began to celebrate hinamatsuri massive.

Composition Dolls

Dolls placed on a multilevel stage, called dankazari (ladder to display) is covered in red cloth. Number of steps varies, the more steps, more and more dolls. Parents in antiquity berlimba buy her a doll-contest the best, most expensive, and with the highest rung. The more steps also means getting rich family. Each doll is placed in a predetermined position based on tradition for generations. Dankazari stage backed with a thick blanket of red-called hi-mōsen.

One set of dolls are usually equipped with a miniature folding screen (byōbu) to be installed as a gold-colored background. On the left side and right-placed pair of miniature lanterns (bombori). Another device in the form of miniature cherry tree and the tree Tachibana, and cut branches of peach flowers as decoration.

·         Top Appliances

Two dolls that symbolize the emperor (o-Dairi-sama) and empress (o-hina-sama) is placed on top of the stairs. In Japanese, Dairi means "emperor's palace," and abject means "princess" or "girls". Hinaningyo the most simple consisting only of these two dolls. Left-right sequence in the second laying of this doll is different in some areas. Some put the emperor on the right because the right is considered superior, but some say otherwise, but the arrangement of dolls in each of the next steps are always the same.

·         Second Appliances

Three princess doll castle (san-nin kanjo) in second place on the ladder. Third daughter was carrying equipment palace drinking sake. Princess doll palace most middle to bring bowls of sake (sakazuki) who put on the shampoo. Two other castle princess doll carrying the pitcher of sake (kuwae no chōshi), and containers of sake (nagae no chōshi). One tooth blackened castle princess doll (ohaguro) and his eyebrows shaved off. In the puppet version of Kyoto, the middle daughter of the palace which took shimadai (decoration sign of happiness from the leaves of pine, bamboo leaves, and flowers ume).

·         Third Appliances

In third place there were five male musicians doll (go-nin bayashi). The four musicians each carrying a musical instrument, except the singer who brought fan-fold. Musical instrument that brought the musicians are taiko, ōkawa, kotsuzumi, and flute.

·         Fourth Appliances

In the fourth ladder placed two dolls minister (daijin) consisting of the Minister of the Right (Udaijin) and Minister of the Left (Sadaijin). Puppet Minister Right depicted are young, while the puppet Minister of the Left look older. From the viewpoint of the observer, the Minister of the Right is on the left, while the Minister of the Left is on the right.

·         Fifth Appliances

In the fifth ladder placed three runners male doll (shichō). All three are each carrying a package containing a cap (daigasa) which was brought by a stick blade, shoes are placed on the tray, and long umbrellas in a closed state. Furthermore, cow train and a variety of miniature furniture used as a wedding gift is placed on top of the stairs beneath him.

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Kodomo No Hi

Kodomo no hi, or Children's Day in Japan is celebrated every May 5 th (fifth day of the monyh five) among the spring break/golden week. This holiday is a series of holidays in late April and early May is called Golden Week (Sun Gold) in Japan. Day is celebrated children since 1948 and established by law the Japanese holiday (Shukujitsu-ho) to respect the personality of children, child happiness plan while thanking mothers.

HISTORY

Today  these children used to be called Boy's Day, so that in practice this holiday tradition for colored boys. Special celebration for girls is called Hina Matsuri and celebrated on March 3, which is not a holiday. Familiar with the celebration of ancient Chinese traditions to the season which is called in Japan as sekku. From ancient times, the moon of the 5th Chinese calendar filled with activities expel evil spirits. On the 5th month 5 is known as Tangono sekku and is a day to celebrate the health and growth of boys. While the tango has two meanings, tan means the edge of the / first and go means moon. In Japanese Idioms go means five, which refers to the date of this festival is the fifth of the fifth month of date. History of why the chosen date aws originally the fifth and the fifth month according to Chinese lunar month of purification of the spirit means - 2 bad (evil spirit). In Japan Tango no sekku agreed on the 5th of May in the reign of Nara. Until recently, tango no sekku known as a day for boys, where as for girls (hinamatsuri) is celebrated on March 3.

TRADITION

During Children's Day celebration, at the family home which has the boys have the tradition of displaying a replica yoroi (knights of old clothes) and Kabuto (samurai helmet). Families who had boys also put koinobori (carp-shaped flags). On the flag of the biggest carp depicted boy was riding super strong Kintaro gold fish. Kabuto, yoroi, and figures are used as a symbol of hope Kintaro boys are healthy and strong. Cakesare eaten during the celebration is the cake and kashiwamochi chimaki.

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Ikebana

Ikebana is an aesthetic art of flower arranging that utilizes various types of flowers, grasses and plants in order to enjoy its beauty. In Japanese, Ikebana is also known as kado (ka: flower; do: the way of life) that was developed in the 16th century.

In Ikebana there are many streams, each of which has its own way in arranging various types of flowers. Requires a certain flow of people see the flower arrangements right from the front, while others require people to see the flow of flower arrangements in the form of three-dimensional as two-dimensional shapes. Modern style ikebana (avant-garde ikebana) also have evolved. Some of these styles using glass, iron, and other materials in lieu of flowers.

There are 3 styles of Ikebana, ie:

• Rikka (Standing Flower) is a traditional style of ikebana are widely used for religious celebrations. This style displays the beauty of the landscape plants. This style was developed around the early 16th century. There are 7 virtues in a series of Rikka style, ie: shin, shin-kakushi, soe, soe-uke, mikoshi, nagashi and maeoki.

• Shoka ikebana is a series of less format but still traditional. This style focuses on the original form of plants. There are 3 main elements in the style of Shoka ie: shin, soe and tai. In accordance with the times, after the Meiji Restoration in 1868 this style is more developed because of European influence Nageire meaning of free will "inserted" ( a series with high vase with a series of almost free) and Moribana. Then in 1977 a new style born of Shoka Shimputai, more modern, consisting of 2 main elements shu and yo, and complementary elements.

•  Jiyuka is a series of Ikebana is free where the circuit based on the creativity and imagination. This style was developed after World War-2. In this series we can use wire, metal and stone are prominent.

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Shodo

Shodo is one of the most popular art of Japan which has been studied for more than 3000 years. Calligraphy is not just a good writing exercise, but rather the beginning of an oriental art form. Calligraphy is a combination of skill and imagination of someone who has studied extensively the use of combinations and lines.

No casual in Japanese calligraphy. Earlier, direction, shape, line endings, and the balance between the essential elements for each line and point, even empty space can give testimony about many things. Who need to remember that, the characters are written in a calligraphic work of art should only be in one-time write graffiti. There should be no repetition, addition or finishing in a work of art of calligraphy.

Shodo History

History of Japanese Calligraphy which is originated from China and creation of Chinese writing system itself approximately 4,500 years ago. Calligraphy has developed a long time when taken to Japan at around the 6th century simultaneously with the beginning of the system to write Chinese / kanji entry into Japan. In the Heian period, Japanese people have started to show a quite remarkable achievement in a new art form "Three Great Brushes" (or sanpitsu) by Kuukai Buddhist monks, the Emperor and the imperial officers Tachibana No Hayanari have reached the apotheosis of calligraphy styles that became popular of the Chinese master T'an, Yan Zhenqing.

There are five basic scripts in Chinese calligraphy has appeared before the end of the 4th century, namely: Tensho (seal style), reisho (clerical style), kaisho (block style), gyosho (semi-cursive style), sosho (cursive style you want, or " grass writing "). In addition, the Japanese have developed the kana characters since the 8th century, Three types of kana that has been developed that is, manyogana, hiragana and katakana.

Ø     Manyogana is certain Chinese characters (kanji) used in Phonetics to symbolize Japanese Syllable, and was named after a poetry collection Manyoshu in the 8th century. At the time of compiling this collection, the Japanese do not have their own writing system. Some Japanese poem written in Chinese characters in use in phonetic. Therefore, with a drastic simplification, there is the hiragana and katakana. And in the hands of the Japanese royal women, hiragana developed into a beautiful script that became the style typical of Japanese calligraphy.

 Ø    Hiragana is a Japanese way of writing that represents as syillables. In the past, Hiragana is also known as onna de or 'writing woman' as commonly used by women. The men in those days to write using the write Kanji and Katakana. Hiragana began tobe used widely in the century 10 Masehi.

      Usefulness Hiragana:
1. Write Furigana, also known as ruby, which is a small text on top of kanji, which indicates how a words read
2. Write word endings (okirugana). Example: okuru (send) written: 送る. That's a bold okirugana.
3. Writes adverb, some nouns and adjectives.
4. Writes children's books such as textbooks, animations and comics.
5. Sayings of Kanji writing was not known or had not been used.
Here is a table that displays a list of letters (letters in red color is not used):

Huruf Hidup					yōon
あ a	い i	う u	え e	お o	(ya)	(yu)	(yo)
か ka	き ki	く ku	け ke	こ ko	きゃ kya	きゅ kyu	きょ kyo
さ sa	し shi	す su	せ se	そ so	しゃ sha	しゅ shu	しょ sho
た ta	ち chi	つ tsu	て te	と to	ちゃ cha	ちゅ chu	ちょ cho
な na	に ni	ぬ nu	ね ne	の no	にゃ nya	にゅ nyu	にょ nyo
は ha	ひ hi	ふ fu	へ he	ほ ho	ひゃ hya	ひゅ hyu	ひょ hyo
ま ma	み mi	む mu	め me	も mo	みゃ mya	みゅ myu	みょ myo
や ya		ゆ yu		よ yo
ら ra	り ri	る ru	れ re	ろ ro	りゃ rya	りゅ ryu	りょ ryo
わ wa	ゐ wi		ゑ we	を wo
				ん n
が ga	ぎ gi	ぐ gu	げ ge	ご go	ぎゃ gya	ぎゅ gyu	ぎょ gyo
ざ za	じ ji	ず zu	ぜ ze	ぞ zo	じゃ ja	じゅ ju	ょ jo
だ da	ぢ (ji)	づ (zu)	で de	ど do	ぢゃ (ja)	ぢゅ (ju)	ぢょ (jo)
ば ba	び bi	ぶ bu	べ be	ぼ bo	びゃ bya	びゅ byu	びょ byo
ぱ pa	ぴ pi	ぷ pu	ぺ pe	ぽ po	ぴゃ pya	ぴゅ pyu	ぴょ pyo

Ø Katakana is one of three ways of writing Japanese. Katakana is usually used to write the words that come from foreign languages ​​that have been absorbed inti the Japanese language but it is also used to write onomatope and words of native Japanese who are confirmation only.
      Here is a table that displays a list of letters (letters in red color is not used):

ア a	イ i	ウ u	エ e	オ o
カ ka	キ ki	ク ku	ケ ke	コ ko	キャ kya	キュ kyu	キョ kyo
サ sa	シ shi	ス su	セ se	ソ so	シャ sha	シュ shu	ショ sho
タ ta	チ chi	ツ tsu	テ te	ト to	チャ cha	チュ chu	チョ cho
ナ na	ニ ni	ヌ nu	ネ ne	ノ no	ニャ nya	ニュ nyu	ニョ nyo
ハ ha	ヒ hi	フ fu	ヘ he	ホ ho	ヒャ hya	ヒュ hyu	ヒョ hyo
マ ma	ミ mi	ム mu	メ me	モ mo	ミャ mya	ミュ myu	ミョ myo
ヤ ya		ユ yu		ヨ yo
ラ ra	リ ri	ル ru	レ re	ロ ro	リャ rya	リュ ryu	リョ ryo
ワ wa	ヰ wi		ヱ we	ヲ wo
				ン n
ガ ga	ギ gi	グ gu	ゲ ge	ゴ go	ギャ gya	ギュ gyu	ギョ gyo
ザ za	ジ ji	ズ zu	ゼ ze	ゾ zo	ジャ ja	ジュ ju	ジョ jo
ダ da	ヂ ji	ヅ zu	デ de	ド do
バ ba	ビ bi	ブ bu	ベ be	ボ bo	ビャ bya	ビュ byu	ビョ byo
パ pa	ピ pi	プ pu	ペ pe	ポ po	ピャ pya	ピュ pyu	ピョ pyo

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