1. Three Ages, Three Separate Ceremonies
The Association of Shinto Shrines states that Shichi-Go-San derives from three specific rituals: Kamioki (hair growing) at age 3, Hakamagi (wearing hakama trousers) at age 5, and Obitoki (tying the obi sash) at age 7. [2]
According to the National Diet Library, these were primarily ceremonies in the court noble society. Kamioki was for both boys and girls at age 3. Hakamagi was for boys at age 5, and Obitoki was for girls at age 7. [2]
Kamioki is explained as the ritual where young children of nobles began to grow their hair long from age 3. [2] Obitoki is the ceremony where children first tie an obi sash after removing the ties used for their kimono. [2]
These events marked the moments when the way children wore their clothes changed, and families celebrated these milestones together. [2]
2. Records of Hakamagi from the Heian Period
Hakamagi was a ceremony performed among nobles during the Heian period. According to the cited source, records of it appear in the Saikyūki from the year 924 and the Nihon Kiryaku from the year 961; the original texts were not checked here. [2]
It is said that "The Tale of Genji" contains scenes where Genji and the Akashi Princess undergo Hakamagi at age 3. [2]
Originally, Hakamagi was performed for both boys and girls between the ages of 3 and 7. [2] By the Edo period, it changed to a form performed at age 5 or age 7. Among samurai families, it is said to have become a ritual specifically for boys. [2]
There was variation in both the timing and the gender of the participants. The date is said to have gradually settled on November 15, though some theories suggest this date was already established by the Muromachi period. [2]
3. The Story of How It Became One Event in Edo
The Association of Shinto Shrines explains that the custom spread to common people after the fifth Shogun, Tsunayoshi, held a grand prayer for the health of his son, Tokumatsu. [2]
It is also said that the celebration of Tokumatsu’s Kamioki on the old lunar calendar date of November 15 in 1681 served as a precedent. [2] Tokumatsu was frail and died at age 5. This is a legend, and it is not a confirmed fact that this event is the definitive origin of Shichi-Go-San. [2]
From the mid-Edo period, the custom became more elaborate in urban areas, likely influenced by the growth of commerce. It spread to Kyoto and Osaka and gradually reached the rest of the country. [2]
One theory suggests that kimono shops in Edo combined the three separate ceremonies into one promotional event, which became the prototype for today’s Shichi-Go-San. [2] However, since this comes from a single article, it is best to view it as just one possible explanation. [2]
4. Why November 15 Was Chosen
One explanation for the date is that the 15th day of the old lunar calendar corresponds to a "Kishuku-nichi," a day when demons were said not to roam. This made it an auspicious day for any activity. [2]
A second explanation is that the 11th month of the old lunar calendar was a time to thank the gods for the harvest. The 15th day is close to when the moon is nearly full, a time also used to give thanks for the growth of children. [2]
It is not decided which reason is the correct one. Different sources offer different explanations for why this specific date was chosen. [2]
5. Chitose Ame May Be Older Than Shichi-Go-San
The origins of Chitose Ame (thousand-year candy) also have various theories. A famous story involves a candy seller named Shichibei in Asakusa, Edo. Around 1688 to 1711, he sold red and white "Thousand-Year Candy." [2]
It is introduced that this story is written in the book "Kankon Shiryō," published in 1825. [2]
Other theories suggest it was sold at Senso-ji Temple by Hirano Jinzaemon in Osaka in 1615, or that it is connected to Kanda Myojin. The timing varies depending on the source. [2]
6. From Prayer to a Nationwide Custom
In the past, medical care was not advanced, and infant mortality rates were high. It was said that raising a child to the ages of Shichi-Go-San was no small feat. [2]
There was a saying, "Until age 7, a child belongs to the gods." The background of Shichi-Go-San includes the relief and gratitude for a child growing up safely. [2]
According to the National Diet Library, the custom spread among common people in Tokyo during the Meiji era. The habit of dressing children in formal clothes and buying Chitose Ame took root. [2]
The name "Shichi-Go-San" became fixed, and the custom spread nationwide after World War II, during the high economic growth period of the 1960s. [2]
Originally, the ages were counted using "Kazoedoshi," where a child is one year old at birth and gains a year every New Year. Today, many families celebrate using actual age. This means the same "7-year-old" celebration might happen one or two years apart depending on the family’s method. [2]
7. Ask Your Family About Shichi-Go-San
You can ask your family about their own Shichi-Go-San experiences. Ask what age they celebrated, where it was held, and whether they used Kazoedoshi or actual age. You might also ask what clothes they wore and if they received Chitose Ame. These details can reveal differences between families. [2]
For official information, the Association of Shinto Shrines and the National Diet Library have pages about Shichi-Go-San in Japanese. [2]
Because customs vary by shrine and region, you should check with a local shrine for specific details. [2]