There have been various rituals to celebrate adults in Japan since ancient times.
日本には、成人を祝う儀式は古くから色々とありました。
various/色々な
ritual/儀式
celebrate/祝う
adult/成人
Japan/日本
since/~以来
ancient times/古い時代
The seijin-shiki as it is now is said to have originated from the “Festival for Youth” held in Saitama Prefecture on November 22, 1946, immediately after the defeat of World War II.
At the time of the turmoil and collapse caused by the defeat, a “Festival for Youth” was planned to encourage the young people who will lead the next generation, and a “ceremony for young people” wAt the time of the turmoil and collapse caused by the defeat, a “festival for young people” was planned to encourage the young people who will lead the next generation, and a “ceremony for adults” was held in it.
Coming-of-age ceremonies are generally held on Coming-of-Age Day.
成人式は、成人の日に開催されるのが一般的です。
Coming-of-age ceremony/成人式
generally/一般的に
held/hold(開催する)の過去形・過去分詞
Coming-of-Age Day/成人の日
However, in some areas, seijin-shiki may be held on days other than Coming-of-Age Day.
ただし、地域によっては、成人の日以外で成人式が開催される場合もあります。
however/しかしながら
in some areas/一部の地域では
seijin-shiki/成人式
may/場合がある
held/hold(開催する)の過去形・過去分詞
day/日
other than/以外
Coming-of-Age Day/成人の日
Especially in heavy snowfall areas, there are problems such as the kimono getting dirty with snow, so there is a tendency to avoid January.
特に豪雪地では、雪で着物が汚れるなどの問題があるため、1月を避ける傾向があります。
especially/特に
heavy snowfall/豪雪
area/地域
problem/問題
such as/など
kimono/着物
get dirty/汚れる
with/~で
snow/雪
so/だから
tendency/傾向
avoid/避ける
January/1月
In areas where many people leave their hometown to go on to school or get a job, seijin-shiki is often held during Golden Week or Obon, when many people return to their parents’ homes.
An event held to commemorate the arrival of 10 years old, which is half the age of an adult, is called a half coming-of-age ceremony.
成人の2分の1の年齢である10歳を迎えたことを記念して行われる行事を、2分の1成人式と言います。
event/行事
held/hold(開催する)の過去形・過去分詞
commemorate/記念する
arrival/到達
years old/歳
half/2分の1
age/年齢
adult/成人
call/呼ぶ
coming-of-age ceremony/成人式
The half coming-of-age ceremony is held in schools and communities, and in recent years, commemorative photography at photo studios has become popular.
2分の1成人式は、学校や地域で行われ、近年では写真館での記念撮影も盛んになってきています。
half/2分の1
coming-of-age ceremony/成人式
held/hold(開催する)の過去形・過去分詞
school/学校
community/地域社会
recent years/近年
commemorative photography/記念撮影
photo studio/写真館
become/なる
popular/人気のある
If it is held at school, the ceremony will be held for 4th graders.
学校で行われる場合には、小学4年生を対象に、式典が行われます。
if/~とすれば
held/hold(開催する)の過去形・過去分詞
school/学校
ceremony/式典
for/~のために
4th grader/4年生
The half coming-of-age ceremony is held at the discretion of each school, but in recent years it has become established as an elementary school event.
2分の1成人式は、各学校の判断で実施されますが、近年では、小学校の行事として定着しつつあります。
half/2分の1
coming-of-age ceremony/成人式
held/hold(開催する)の過去形・過去分詞
discretion/裁量
each/各
school/学校
but/だがしかし
recent years/近年
become established/定着する
as/~として
elementary school/小学校
event/行事
woman
There are also events to celebrate the age of 10. (10歳を祝う行事もあるのね。)