7-5-3 day is a holiday celebrating the birthday of children ages 7, 5, and 3, hence the

name.
Traditionally it is celebrated on November 15th but in modern times it is usually celebrated on the
weekend closest to that date so that everyone in the family has their day off and can participate.
7-5-3 day has its origins in the Heian Period (794-1185) when aristocrats celebrated the
health of their children. In the Edo Period (1603-1868), commoners adopted this tradition. 7-5-3
day as we know it evolved in the Meiji Period (1868-1912).
The ages 7, 5, and 3 were selected because odd numbers are considered to be lucky
numbers according to East Asian numerology. These ages were also associated with certain
milestones the life of a Japanese child. These milestones include Kamioki, in which children
were allowed to grow out their hair; prior to this, children had their heads shaved at birth,
hakamagi-no-gi, in which 5 year old boys would be first allowed to wear their traditional
hakama, and obitoki-no-gi, in which seven year old girls were allowed to replace the simple
cords that they used to tie their kimono with the traditional obi.
On 7-5-3 day, Parents of a 3-year-old or 5-year-old son and / or of a 3-year-old or 7-yearold daughter will take them to a local Shinto shrine. There, they pray to Ujigami, the Shinto
guardian god of good health, wishing for the well-being of their children. Children get Chitose
Ame candy, which is traditionally carried in paper bags with a crane and a turtle on it, which
represent health and longevity.
Shopping List:

Haori
Hakama
Kimono
Obi
Chitose Ame
Paper bags with either crane or turtle on it

Shopping List

Haori
Hakama
Kimono
Obi
Chitose Ame
Paper bags with
either crane or
turtle on it