Maheshika has her own 'Seijin ne hi"

A young Sri Lankan Maheshika Somachandra from Kadugannawa, living in Japan had the privilege of taking part in a special Japanese festival.

The second Monday of January is 'Seijin ne hi" (coming of age day) in Japan. People celebrate this day to welcome young men and women who turn 20 or will turn the age of 20 during the current year as fully fledged members of society. Twenty is the age considered as the beginning of adulthood. It is also the minimum legal age for voting, to get a driving licence etc.

The festival is celebrated on the second Monday of January (it used to be celebrated always on January 15 until 1999). Its Japanese name is Seijin ne hi. All young people who turn twenty in that year celebrate Sejin ne hi.

Local governments usually have a ceremony known as Sejin Shiki (adult ceremony) to honour the 'new adults'. All of the young adults living in the area are invited to attend. Government officials give speeches and small presents are handed out to the new adults.

Women celebrate the day by donning a furisode, which is a kimono with long swinging sleeves as compared to the kimono with shorter sleeves worn by mature, married women. Some women will add hakama (baggy pantaloons) to the ensemble. Most young women cannot put on a kimono themselves and go to a kimono kituske who dresses them. They also go to a hair stylist to have their hair set the day before or early in the morning. Many women rent their kimonos because of the cost of buying one. A Japanese kimono can cost as much as a new car.

The majority of young men wear business suits, although once in a while men wearing dark-coloured kimono can also be seen.