The School @ Jaya One will once again host Shichi-Go-San, a Japanese traditional rite of passage for three and seven year old girls and three and five year old boys. The rite’s customary prayer ceremony will be conducted by special guest, Takebe Masahide, a shrine priest from Ikimi Tenmangu, the oldest shrine in Kyoto, Japan. Parents can look forward to bringing their children to learn and experience this cultural festival at The School from 10am to 6pm this weekend (4th and 5th November).

Traditionally, Shichi-Go-San is held annually on 15 November where parents would take their children to shrines to perform a prayer for their health. During the ceremony, the girls would dress in Kimono and the boys in Hakama trousers with Haori jackets and carry a long stick candy known as “chitose-ame”, believed to bring good luck. It usually comes in a bag decorated with cranes and turtles to symbolise long life.

The symbolic 2-day event will have The School transformed into a Japanese-themed setting, ideal for family photo taking and will feature various activities, fot for all children to participate in including kimono dressing, origami and flute classes, soba and sushi making classes, Japanese arts and craft, Japanese Folks Dance, Kid’s Culture Dance and many more.

The festival is supported by the Embassy of Japan in Malaysia, I Am Nikon, Yaezakura Japanese Traditional Music & Dance Group, Jetro and Gemini Creation. Parents can register their children for the prayer ceremony and book a time slot at bit.ly/753theschool

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