Shichi-Go-San Mairi

One of the happiest and most important events of the Jinsei Girei (cycle of life events) is the Shichi-Go-San Mairi or celebration of your child’s reaching special ages. . It is natural to visit the Jinja at life turning points/ milestones. For the child to attain the ages of 3, 5 and 7 years is very significant culturally, developmentally, and spiritually.

This ceremony marks the child's passage from a fragile infant to a sturdy youngster...this is the time for parents to offer gratitude for the safe healthy growth of their children and pray for their future development and happiness...........

Shinto-go-san Mairi is for children, boys ages 3 and 5 and girls ages 3 and 7... (ages can be determined by either kazoedoshi or modern system   additionally Kannagara Jinja can conduct 7-5-3 Mairi at non matching ages fat request of family)...this very important life-cycle event is one of the most popular in Japan...when parents take their children who are dressed in their best clothes (hare-gi) to the local shrine. Children attending this event receive the special CHITOSE AME/ long-life candy in a colorful bag with many special images on it...this makes the very happy childhood memory.

Culturally the origin of this ritual was the Heian Jidai (8th Century) in ancient Japan with the KAMI-OKI , children aged 3 changed hairstyle and began the new growth of hair and the HAKAMA-GI when 5 year old boys wore the hakama for the 1st time and the OBITOKI ritual of 7 year old girls wearing the more adult obi for the 1st time.

When Babies are born, they arrive as the precious beings of the " Kami world". Gradually as they grow and develop necessary social skills their consciousness changes---the awareness of the Kami realm fades and is transformed to mythology. "Growing up" often means leaving the magical world of childhood. Shichi-Go-San ritual means to stay connected to the divine world and receive the grace and blessing of Kami for continued safe growth.

It is said that a baby is fully prepared with the soul of a human being at age 3, a boy stands at the center at age 5 and we can see the pre echo of the future young woman in the girl of 7. The Shichi Go San Festival exists to celebrate milestones of a child's growth.

Originally Shichigosan-mairi was celebrated around each childs birthday. In the Edo-era / 18th century the Shogun: Tsunayoshi Tokugawa celebrated his son’s Birthday on November 15. Samurai families began to celebrate their own children’s 7-5-3 Mairi on the same day. Gradually this timing spread throughout society.

In the modern era Shichigosan is November 15, and people usually make Shichigosan-mairi in October or November.

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Kannagara Chikyu Jinja can conduct Shichigosan-mairi (ceremony) any time during the year as in olden times.

Please contact shrine with any question or to make reservation.