Shichi-Go-San, Hatsuzekku, entrance ceremonies, Omiyamairi—in Japanese life, a child’s growth is celebrated through a series of special occasions known as hare no hi, or “days of brightness.” In contrast to the ordinary flow of daily life (ke), hare represents moments of joy and significance—an idea deeply rooted in Japanese cultural consciousness.
These hare days are not simply a collection of rituals. For both the child and their family, they are cherished milestones that shape a living story—a narrative of growing up, woven with emotion, tradition, and the warmth of shared experience.
The Heart of Celebration Is Simply Being Alive
At the root of many Japanese children’s ceremonies lies a deeply heartfelt sentiment: “Thank you for being born safely,” and “Thank you for growing up strong and healthy.” These are not grand declarations, but quiet, essential prayers shared by families across generations.
During Omiyamairi, a newborn is brought to the local shrine around one month after birth to greet the guardian deity. For Hatsuzekku, families prepare symbolic decorations based on the child’s gender, wishing for health and future happiness. While these rituals may seem customary, each one marks a precious moment of realization—“This life is here, now.”
In times past, when illness and hardship were more common, the survival of a child was never taken for granted. That’s why Japan’s culture of celebration grew to honor even the smallest milestones—each one a testament to life itself.
When Rituals Become Childhood Memories
In recent years, milestones like Shichi-Go-San, school entrance ceremonies, and preschool graduations are sometimes seen as mere photo opportunities. But for a child, these experiences become emotional markers—doors to memory that open later in life.
The feeling of being dressed in kimono, walking along the shrine path in unfamiliar zōri, the taste of a celebratory meal shared with family—these fragments stay with them. And when revisited in adulthood, they become gentle reminders of how deeply they were cherished.
Such memories form the emotional foundation of life. They nurture a child’s sense of self-worth and trust in their family—quiet yet powerful threads that support the heart as it grows.
When Clothing, Food, Space, and Spirit Come Together
On hare no hi—special celebration days—everything aligns: wearing clothes different from the everyday (clothing), enjoying festive dishes (food), adorning and arranging the living space (dwelling), and offering prayers at a shrine or to ancestors (spirit). When these four elements—clothing, food, dwelling, and spirit—come together, a ritual transforms from a mere “event” into a deeply felt “experience.”
Japanese celebrations, in particular, maintain a strong connection to nature. The flowers, herbs, food ingredients, and decorative forms used in traditional festivals all carry meanings and stories. Through these details, children naturally absorb a sense of living in harmony with the seasons—cultivating a quiet, intuitive appreciation for the rhythms of the natural world.
A Family Rhythm That Crosses Borders
Today, many Japanese families living abroad continue to celebrate traditions like Shichi-Go-San and seasonal festivals in ways adapted to their local environments. Using regional flowers and ingredients, and sharing moments with grandparents through photos or video calls, they are creating new forms of hare no hi that preserve the spirit, even if the form evolves.
In non-Japanese households with an interest in Japanese culture, these traditions are also gaining popularity—as meaningful milestones for marking a child’s growth and development.
These rituals remind us, across cultures and languages, of something universal: the importance of celebrating children, and the joy of sharing time as a family.
Conclusion — Small Milestones, a Larger Story of Life
Children’s celebrations quietly accompany the flow of family life, adding color to the tapestry of everyday moments. In the midst of days that pass by unnoticed, a single “special day” brings rhythm and meaning to a life in motion.
Preparing decorations, offering prayers, and sharing a festive meal—these simple acts leave lasting impressions in a child’s memory. And one day, as they grow older, they may look back and realize: “I was watched over with such care, every step of the way.”