Shichi-go-san

Shichi-go-san is a festival to celebrate
children's growth. On November 15, boys of
three and five, and girls of three and seven
dress up in their gala attire and go with
their parents to a Shinto shrine to pay a
visit to the tutelary diety.

"Shichi-go-san" means "seven, five, three".
In Japan odd numbers seem to be auspicious,
and the odd numbered years of this important
period of a child's growth are celebrated.

Look at the square paper bag in the girl's
hand. In this bag, there is long, thin, 
red and white candy called "Chitose-ame", 
which means "thousand-year candy".

Created by TORIGOE Yuko
Okayama, Japan
November 15, '99