Shichi-Go-San (literally, Seven-Five-Three) is a rite of passage in Japan for three and seven year old girls, and five year old boys. Officially it occurs on November 15th, but any time throughout November, families will dress their seven, five and three year old children in kimono and go to a shrine, where a ceremony is held and the children can receive Chitose Ame candy in a colorful bag. The ceremony is held to promote growth and well-being, and has also become a popular photo day. I have been thinking to try to add some Shichi-Go-San photos to my website because that could be a lucrative market if I can break into it. Normally, families go to a studio to have their children dressed in kimono and have professional photos taken, but I am hoping to appeal to families who want photos taken at a shrine. So, when John contacted me about taking photos of his five year old son, Nolan, I was happy to help out. I took maternity photos of his wife, Nanami, in the spring, so this time, they had their new daughter, Nina, along as well. The shrine we went to was Konomiya Shrine in Inazawa. Konomiya Shrine was established in the Nara Period (before the year 767), so it has a long history, and is also the site of the Hadaka Matsuri (Naked Festival) in Nagoya. The wooden structures and open spaces of the shrine made a great backdrop, and John and family looked great in their kimono and suit. As a photographer, I couldn't have asked for more.
