毎年一月の第二月曜日は、「成人の日」と呼ばれる祝日です。この日には、二十歳になった若者の成長を祝うために、全国の市町村で「成人式」と呼ばれる式典が行われます。
The second Monday of January each year is a national holiday called "Coming of Age Day." On this day, ceremonies known as seijinshiki are held in cities and towns across the country to celebrate the growth of young people who have turned twenty.
戦後の混乱した時代に、若者を励まそうという思いから始まったのが成人式のきっかけだと言われています。当時は十一月に行われていましたが、その後、新しい年を迎える時期に合わせて一月に変更されました。今では新成人にとって、人生で最大のイベントの一つになっています。
It is said that the ceremony got its start in the chaotic years after the war, born from a wish to encourage the country's young people. It was originally held in November, but was later moved to January so that it would coincide with the start of the new year. Today, it has become one of the biggest events in the lives of those reaching adulthood.
成人式の主役と言えば、何といっても新成人たちの華やかな服装です。女性は振袖と呼ばれる長い袖の着物を着ることが多く、髪型やメイクにもこだわります。男性はスーツを着る人が一般的ですが、最近では袴を選ぶ人も少なくありません。
If anyone is the star of the day, it is the new adults in their splendid outfits. Many women wear a long-sleeved kimono called a furisode, and they put real care into their hair and makeup as well. Men generally come in suits, but recently quite a few have been choosing to wear hakama.
振袖は値段が非常に高いため、レンタルにする人が増えています。半年から一年前に予約しないと、好きなデザインが選べないこともあります。美容院や写真スタジオの予約も早い者勝ちになりがちで、当日の朝四時から準備を始めるという話さえ聞きます。
Because furisode are extremely expensive, more and more people rent rather than buy. Unless you reserve six months to a year in advance, you may not be able to choose the design you want. Bookings at hair salons and photo studios also tend to be first-come-first-served, and you even hear stories of people starting to get ready at four in the morning on the day itself.