Coming of Age

For those of you who don't know, a person comes of age in Japan when they turn 20. This is the legal age for everything and to celebrate, newly turned 20-year-olds attend special ceremonies and doll themselves up real nice. And I mean, REAL nice.

In any case, let me step back for a second.
I can't remember if I mentioned it or not but I received an invitation for a coming of Age ceremony so time ago, from Oota City (the part of Tokyo I am registered as a foreign resident). Now, I was excited because I knew a little about how big a deal it was and I definatly wanted to see and take pictures. So, I told Okaasan and everything was set. Then, I asked Okaasan if I needed to wear a Kimono, which she took to mean I wanted to wear one (not that I didn't, mind you), and it was set that I would wear a kimono to the ceremony.

Of course, I really had no clue what the ceremony would entail. A few days ago Okaasan explained that if I was going to wear a kimono it would take some time to put on and yesterday she showed me the beautiful Kimono her mother made her when she was 17. It was going to be what I wore today! And it really was gorgeous. I was happy too, because I had seen ads and magazines of current, rentable kimono and I must say, I don't really like the style as much. It's gawdy, very pinky, purply, and just too much. Okaasan's Kimono is Gorgeous! Plus it has a beautiful green Obi.

now, the next thing is that I could have sworn Okaasan told me I'd have to wake up at four this morning. And I was like, no problem if I get to wear a kimono. So I woke up at 4:30 this morning, went down stairs, and the whole house was dark. I was a tad confused and decided Okaasan meant I'd have to get up that early so I could do my hair and makeup (it didn't seem unreasonable to me since I never wear makeup and am terrible at putting it on, plus hair? yeah right, like I can do my hair?). So I spent two hours trying to put on makeup, spilling it all over myself, cursing whoever invented, and finally finshed, feeling like I'd rather not wear any at all. I put my hair up in a messy sort of bun but managed to hide the hair bands I used (a feat for me). By then people were starting to wake up so I went down stairs, only to be greeted with "Hayai!!! (early)" and I realized I had somehow misunderstood Okaasan and I was not supposed to wake up at 4 in the morning.

Go me...^.^

A little later Manami redid some of my eye makeup, over the makeup I already had, so I felt like my eyes were a bit dark but in the end I guess it didnt matter. And then Okaasan's friend came and dressed me. It took about 45 minutes to get the whole thing on, me just standing there...I felt sort of VIP though. I will say, wearing a Kimono requires patience and many many layers (have I mentioned the Japanese love of wrapping? I'll get to that another time). Also, wearing a Kimono is akin to wearing a corset, a real corset...luckily, I had that experience so I was somewhat prepared.

After finished getting dressed they took a bunch a pictures and we were off (manami went with me to the ceremony). We got there and there was already a ton of people swarming outside this littlebuilding (not exactly sure what the building is normally used for). Most of the girls had those pink, flower filled kimon and white fur shawl things (MY shawl was brownish-by the way, my first experience wearing fur, it's incredibly warm!). The guys mostly wear suits though a few were dressed traditionaly. And some of the girls had Kimono that were prettier and more origional than the over patterned ones.

This is where I begin to feel awkward. I was worried about what people would think of me all dressed up like a Japanese person at a Japanese event, but the thing is, I WAS invited and I did turn 20 so I decided not to care. A few girls made ey contact with me and smiled and we exchanged quiet "Oedetoo(congrats)", Manami said some girls were especially commenting on my looks (apparently I'm pretty^.^), I felt like some were giving me that "what the heck are you doing here look", and I heard a couple amazed "gaijin! (foreigner)" from some guys. It was actually really fun.

The Ceremony turned out to be a sort of assembly thing, which most of the people talked through (there werent enough seats for every one so even though the building was full to the brim with people standing and sitting there were as many people still outside). Some people spoke, there was a guest appearance of a tv show character (cute!), a guy with a monkey (I felt a bit sad for it), a really excellent Jazz band (the lead saxophonist having also just turned 20), and some high school cheerleaders. It was bazarre but fun and interesting.

After that, Okaasan picked us up and took us to Senzokuike Koen where we took some more pictures then we went home and I waited for andrew to get there so he could take pictures. While we were waiting, I was very hungry so Okaasan gave me a Japanese style apron to wear over the Kimono. While wearing it I looked like a little japanese Shopkeeper so manami took a video of me saying "Irashaimasee! (Welcome) and we all laughed. By the way, obaasan was there too for all of this. I really like her. And then Finally I got to change. It was somewhat relieving to take off the kimono, I'm not sure, given the opportunity I would wear them too often.

And that was my coming of age.
YaY!
Check Okaasan's blog and Andrews photobucket account for pictures. Plus Okaasan may also send her pictures to me as well so check my account as well.

Much Love!