Shichi-go-san: celebrating children at 3, 5 and 7
The November shrine visit for children, the old rites behind each age, and the meaning of chitose-ame candy. JLPT N3 reading with translation.
Passage (Japanese)
十一月十五日ごろ、晴れ着を着た子どもが家族と神社にお参りする姿が見られます。これは「七五三」という、子どもの成長を祝う行事です。名前の通り、三歳・五歳・七歳の節目に行われます。
それぞれの年齢には、昔の儀式が元になった意味があると言われています。三歳は、それまでそっていた髪をのばし始める「髪置き」、五歳は男の子が初めて袴をはく「袴着」、七歳は女の子が子ども用のひもをやめて大人と同じ帯を結ぶ「帯解き」にあたるとされます。ただし、地域や家庭によって、祝う年齢ややり方には違いがあります。
十一月十五日に行うようになった理由にも諸説あり、はっきりとは分かっていません。今では十五日にこだわらず、その前後の都合のよい日にお参りする家庭も多くなっています。
七五三でよく見られるのが、「千歳飴（ちとせあめ）」という細長い飴です。細く長い形と紅白の色には、子どもが長く健康に生きてほしいという願いが込められていると言われています。このように七五三は、子どもの健やかな成長を願う気持ちが中心にある行事です。
Translation
Around November 15th, you can see children dressed in fine clothes visiting shrines with their families. This is the event called "Shichi-Go-San," which celebrates children's growth. As the name suggests, it is held at the milestone ages of three, five, and seven.
Each age is said to have a meaning derived from old rituals. Three corresponds to "Kamioki," in which children begin to grow out the hair they had been shaving until then; five to "Hakamagi," in which a boy wears a hakama for the first time; and seven to "Obitoki," in which a girl stops using the children's cord and ties an adult-style obi. However, the ages and ways of celebrating differ depending on region and household.
There are also various theories about why it came to be held on November 15th, and it is not clearly known. Nowadays, many households do not stick to the 15th and instead visit on a convenient day around that time.
Often seen at Shichi-Go-San is a long, thin candy called "Chitose-ame." The thin, long shape and the red-and-white colors are said to carry the wish for children to live long and healthy lives. In this way, Shichi-Go-San is an event centered on the wish for children's healthy growth.
Comprehension questions
Choose an answer for each question, then check.
Q1七五三は、何のための行事だと述べられていますか。
According to the text, what is Shichi-Go-San an event for?
Q2五歳の「袴着」について、文章の内容と合っているものはどれですか。
Regarding the "Hakamagi" at age five, which matches the content of the text?
Q3七五三を行う日について、文章で述べられていることはどれですか。
Regarding the day on which Shichi-Go-San is held, which is stated in the text?
Q4千歳飴の細く長い形と紅白の色には、どんな願いが込められていると言われていますか。
What wish is said to be carried in the thin, long shape and the red-and-white colors of Chitose-ame?
