七五三：子供の成長を祝う伝統行事 – 英語で説明 – 英会話形式で学ぶ

Oh, yeah! Shichi-Go-San is a special celebration in Japan for children aged 3, 5, and 7. It’s usually held on November 15, but families often visit shrines on any convenient day in November.

Good question! In Japanese tradition, 3, 5, and 7 are considered important milestones in a child’s growth. Boys celebrate at ages 3 and 5, and girls at 3 and 7. These ages represent stages where children go through significant growth and changes.

Families take their children to a Shinto shrine to pray for their health and happiness. The kids dress up in traditional clothes—boys wear haori and hakama, while girls wear beautiful kimonos. After the prayers, the children receive a special candy called “Chitose Ame.”

Exactly! They symbolize a wish for long life and good health. It’s a really sweet tradition, literally and figuratively.

It’s believed to be a lucky day in the old Japanese calendar, free from bad events. But these days, people are more flexible and often visit shrines on weekends or other convenient days in November.

Shichi-Go-San actually started in the Heian period, over a thousand years ago. It began with the aristocracy, where children went through certain rituals as they grew. For example, at age 3, they’d start growing their hair, at age 5, boys would wear a hakama for the first time, and at age 7, girls began using an obi with their kimonos.

Exactly! By the Edo period, it became common among all families, and it’s been a cherished tradition ever since.

Oh yes, lots of photos! It’s a chance for families to dress up and capture special memories. Many families even hire professional photographers for the day.

It really is. And you can feel the importance families place on it when you see them at the shrine. It’s not just about tradition; it’s about celebrating life and looking forward to a bright future.

You’re welcome! Enjoy the experience—it’s a beautiful part of Japanese culture.

Oh, yeah! Shichi-Go-San is a special celebration in Japan for children aged 3, 5, and 7. It’s usually held on November 15, but families often visit shrines on any convenient day in November.

ああ、もちろん！七五三は日本で3歳、5歳、7歳の子供たちを祝う特別なお祝いなんだ。通常は11月15日に行われるけど、家族は11月の都合の良い日に神社に行くことが多いよ。

Good question! In Japanese tradition, 3, 5, and 7 are considered important milestones in a child’s growth. Boys celebrate at ages 3 and 5, and girls at 3 and 7. These ages represent stages where children go through significant growth and changes.

いい質問だね！日本の伝統では、3歳、5歳、7歳は子供の成長において重要な節目とされているんだ。男の子は3歳と5歳、女の子は3歳と7歳を祝うの。それぞれの年齢は、子供が大きな成長や変化を迎える時期を表しているんだよ。

Families take their children to a Shinto shrine to pray for their health and happiness. The kids dress up in traditional clothes—boys wear haori and hakama, while girls wear beautiful kimonos. After the prayers, the children receive a special candy called “Chitose Ame.”

家族は子供たちを連れて神社に行って、健康と幸せを祈るんだ。子供たちは伝統的な服を着て、男の子は羽織と袴、女の子は美しい着物を着るんだよ。その後、子供たちは「千歳飴」という特別なお菓子をもらうんだ。

Exactly! They symbolize a wish for long life and good health. It’s a really sweet tradition, literally and figuratively.

そうそう！それは長寿と健康を願っているんだ。まさに文字通り、そして比喩的にも「甘い」伝統だよ。

It’s believed to be a lucky day in the old Japanese calendar, free from bad events. But these days, people are more flexible and often visit shrines on weekends or other convenient days in November.

昔の日本の暦では、11月15日は悪いことが起こらない幸運な日だと信じられていたんだ。でも最近では、みんなもっと柔軟で、11月の週末や他の都合の良い日に神社に行くことが多いよ。

Shichi-Go-San actually started in the Heian period, over a thousand years ago. It began with the aristocracy, where children went through certain rituals as they grew. For example, at age 3, they’d start growing their hair, at age 5, boys would wear a hakama for the first time, and at age 7, girls began using an obi with their kimonos.

実は七五三は千年以上前の平安時代に始まったんだよ。貴族の間で、成長した子供たちが特定の儀式を行う風習があったんだ。例えば、3歳になると髪を伸ばし始め、5歳になると男の子は初めて袴を着て、7歳になると女の子が着物に帯を使い始めたんだ。

Exactly! By the Edo period, it became common among all families, and it’s been a cherished tradition ever since.

その通り！江戸時代までには、すべての家庭に広まり、それ以来、大切な伝統として受け継がれてきたんだ。

Oh yes, lots of photos! It’s a chance for families to dress up and capture special memories. Many families even hire professional photographers for the day.

もちろん！たくさん写真を撮るよ！家族が正装して特別な思い出を残すチャンスなんだ。多くの家族はプロのカメラマンを雇ったりもするんだよ。

It really is. And you can feel the importance families place on it when you see them at the shrine. It’s not just about tradition; it’s about celebrating life and looking forward to a bright future.

本当にそうだよ。神社で家族がどれだけこの行事を大切にしているかがよく分かると思う。これは単なる伝統じゃなくて、命を祝って、明るい未来を願うことなんだ。

You’re welcome! Enjoy the experience—it’s a beautiful part of Japanese culture.

どういたしまして！楽しんできてね。日本文化の素晴らしい部分だよ。

celebration : 名詞
意味: 祝う行為、記念する行事。The act of celebrating or honoring a special occasion or event.
（七五三の子供の成長を祝う特別な行事を指す）
例文：

• The family held a big celebration for the child’s birthday.
  「家族は子供の誕生日を盛大に祝いました。」
• Shichi-Go-San is a traditional Japanese celebration for children.
  「七五三は子供のための日本の伝統的な祝いです。」
• The school organized a celebration for the graduates.
  「学校は卒業生のためにお祝いを企画しました。」

represent : 動詞
意味: 表す、象徴する。To stand for or symbolize something.
（七五三で3歳、5歳、7歳が子供の成長を表す年齢を指す）
例文：

• The dove represents peace.
  「鳩は平和を象徴します。」
• These numbers represent important ages in Shichi-Go-San.
  「これらの数字は七五三における重要な年齢を表しています。」
• This flag represents our country.
  「この旗は私たちの国を表しています。」

go through : 句動詞
意味: 経験する、通過する。To experience or endure something difficult or challenging.
（七五三で子供が特定の成長段階を経ることを指す）
例文：

• She had to go through many challenges to achieve her goal.
  「彼女は目標を達成するために多くの困難を経験しました。」
• Children go through significant changes during Shichi-Go-San.
  「七五三では子供たちは大きな変化を経験します。」
• We all go through tough times in life.
  「私たちは皆、人生で厳しい時期を経験します。」

figuratively : 副詞
意味: 比喩的に。In a symbolic or metaphorical way, not literal.
（千歳飴が文字通りと比喩的に「甘い」伝統を指す場面）
例文：

• He was figuratively on fire during the match.
  「彼は試合中、比喩的に言えば絶好調でした。」
• The candy is figuratively sweet, as it symbolizes long life.
  「その飴は比喩的に甘く、長寿を象徴しています。」
• She was figuratively drowning in work.
  「彼女は仕事に追われている状態でした（比喩的に言えば）。」

aristocracy : 名詞
意味: 貴族階級、支配階級。A class of people who hold high social rank and privileges, often hereditary.
（七五三が最初に貴族の間で始まったことを指す）
例文：

• The aristocracy played an important role in medieval society.
  「貴族階級は中世社会で重要な役割を果たしました。」
• Shichi-Go-San started among the Japanese aristocracy.
  「七五三は日本の貴族の間で始まりました。」
• The aristocracy often had special privileges and rights.
  「貴族階級はしばしば特別な特権や権利を持っていました。」