Posted on: Sunday, November 28, 2004
MOMENTS OF LIFE
Costumes of culture
Photos by Rebecca Breyer
Advertiser Staff Photographer
Story by Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer
Japanese believe odd numbers bring good luck. Those steeped traditions collide in a ritual called Shichi Go San — literally seven, five and three in Japanese — when little girls don kimono, obi (belted sash) and all the refinements of dressing up in formal duds from head to foot. Little boys are also ceremonially costumed and carry a katana (sword).
Photos are taken, capturing a Moment of Life, and then commonly presented to elders.
The custom, dating back to the Meiji era but fashionable in the Edo period, was revived Nov. 14 at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i, when families brought their children to participate in the dressage. The annual midiNovember time frame is considered an auspicious season.
"I never did this as a child," said Michele Loudermilk, a yonsei (fourth-generation Japanese-American) from Hawai'i Kai. "Our kids are hapa (Japanese, Hawaiian, Caucasian) and heritage is important."
Leah is 5, and is in kindergarten at 'Aina Haina Elementary School. Kira is 3, in pre-school at Angels at Play. "They like to dress up and were excited to do the fancy hair, put on make-up and get wrapped up in the whole process," said mom Michele.
So grandfather Tadashi Yoshida, 94, will receive a photo of the momentous milestone.
Many Island families participated in the ritual. Meril Fujiki, another Hawai'i Kai resident and self-described "haole from New York," wanted her Caucasian-Japanese daughter, Naomi, 14, a Punahou eighth-grader, to learn about her roots. Fujiki's sister-in-law, Faye Fujiki Dung, wanted her Japanese-Chinese daughter, Megan, 12, a Punahou sixth-grader, to get culturally exposed to Shichi Go San, even if both girls were in their even-numbered years.
"Grandma (Mieko Fujiki, 80) is pure Japanese, and Faye and I thought it would be nice to have the granddaughters photographed with her," said mom Fujiki. "Grandma's getting on in years."
Because the girls were older than most, initially they were reluctant. "But when they got started, they thought it was really cool," said Meril Fujiki. Now both families hope the girls' brothers (17 and 15) take part next year.
Reach Wayne Harada at 525-8067, wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, or fax 525-8055.
Island folks find value in cultural roots.
Leah Loudermilk, 5, of Kalama Valley, gets help with her kimono from Yoshiko Bailey of Nu'uanu, a volunteer, at the Shichi Go San event at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i on Nov. 14.
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| Michele Loudermilk of Kalama Valley does the hair of her daughter, Leah, 5, at their home before the Shichi Go San on Nov. 14 at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i. | Michele Loudermilk, of Kalama Valley, (only her hand is shown) applies makeup to her daughter, Kira, 3, at their home in Kalama Valley before the Shichi Go San. |
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| Kira Loudermilk, 3, of Kalama Valley, and her sister, Leah, 5, is blessed by Daiya Amano of Honolulu during the Shichi Go San at the Japanese Cultural Center on Nov. 14 before having a photo taken to memorialize the occasion. | |
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Leah Loudermilk, 5, and her sister, Kira, 3, wearing their Shichi Go San finery, smile for a formal portrait. The girls were excited to participate in the ritual, but shy with the Japanese Cultural Center's volunteers.
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