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Shichi-Go-San festival
A traditional Japanese festival celebrating children's growth, held on November 15th for children ages 3, 5, and 7.
七五三のお祝いをした。
We celebrated Shichi-Go-San.
娘が七歳なので、今年は七五三だ。
Since my daughter is seven years old, this year we have Shichi-Go-San.
七五三で神社にお参りに行く。
We go to the shrine for Shichi-Go-San.
USAGE: 七五三 is a traditional Japanese rite of passage celebrating children at ages 3, 5, and 7. The name literally means "7-5-3" after these ages.
CULTURAL CONTEXT:
- 三歳 - Both boys and girls celebrate at age 3
- 五歳 - Boys celebrate at age 5
- 七歳 - Girls celebrate at age 7
- Traditionally held on November 15th, but many families visit shrines on nearby weekends
- Children dress in traditional 着物 or formal Western attire
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 七五三のお祝い (Shichi-Go-San celebration)
- 七五三参り (Shichi-Go-San shrine visit)
- 七五三の写真 (Shichi-Go-San photos)
TRADITIONAL ELEMENTS:
- 千歳飴 - special long candy symbolizing longevity, given to children