JAPAN: Pet owners clad their cats and dogs in traditional clothing to celebrate Coming of Age Day at Tokyo's Shinto shrine
Record ID:
463507
JAPAN: Pet owners clad their cats and dogs in traditional clothing to celebrate Coming of Age Day at Tokyo's Shinto shrine
- Title: JAPAN: Pet owners clad their cats and dogs in traditional clothing to celebrate Coming of Age Day at Tokyo's Shinto shrine
- Date: 10th January 2011
- Summary: TOKYO, JAPAN (DECEMBER 9, 2010) (REUTERS) SHRINE OFFICIAL LEADING PEOPLE INTO COMING OF AGE CELEBRATION CEREMONY PETS AND OWNERS ENTERING CEREMONY CEREMONY BEING HELD AT TOKYO'S SHINTO SHRINE SHRINE OFFICIAL PUTTING PET FOOD ON ALTAR PET FOOD ON ALTAR SHRINE OFFICIAL CHANTING MORE OF SHRINE OFFICIAL CHANTING AND PET OWNERS PRAYING VARIOUS OF PET FOOD ON ALTAR PET OWNERS PRAYING (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) AKIKO IIZUKA, 24-YEAR-OLD CAT OWNER, SAYING: "This cat's previous owner abandoned him, so I want to give him a big celebration to mark this milestone and wish him a long life." PETS AND OWNERS SEATED AT CEREMONY DOG PLAYING WITH OWNER POODLE YAWNING (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) TAKESHI TAKEDA, 60-YEAR-OLD DOG OWNER, SAYING: "This dog is no different than a son, so I'm glad I can give my son this celebration. I hope that he will be healthy forever." VARIOUS OF JAPANESE ACTRESS KII KITANO BOWING CAMERAMEN AND REPORTERS SHRINE OFFICIAL SCATTERING PIECES OF PAPER OVER DOG'S HEAD PIECES OF PAPER BEING SCATTERED OVER CAT'S HEAD CAT LOOKING AROUND MORE OF SHRINE OFFICIAL SCATTERING PAPER FLOWERS OVER PETS' HEADS VARIOUS OF DOG CLAD IN JAPANESE TRADITIONAL CLOTHES IN FRONT OF SHRINE
- Embargoed: 25th January 2011 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Japan, Japan
- Country: Japan
- Topics: Quirky,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
- Reuters ID: LVA435GJ46OZXRU0W69WV0VWW9NS
- Story Text: Dogs and cats, clad in traditional Japanese clothing, celebrated transitioning into "adulthood" on Sunday (January 9), a day before the Coming of Age Day in Japan.
Six dogs and a cat, all of whom are turning one this year, were brought to Tokyo's Shinto shrine to mark their once-in-a-lifetime ceremony. In a twist to the traditional food offerings, pet foods were offered to gods in exchange for the animals' health and long lives.
Organizers said the age of one-year for dogs was similar to turning 20 for humans, in proportion to their life expectancy of 12.8 years.
Japanese celebrate "Sei-nen-no-hi", or the Coming of Age Day, on the second Monday of the year. It is a milestone event for those who are turning 20 in the year as they can legally drink and vote.
Ceremonies are held at schools, shrines and temples across the country. The youths wear a special Kimono outfit called "Furisode", which can cost from 200,000 yen ($2,400 USD) to 800,000 yen ($9,600 USD) just to rent.
Although pets cannot drink or vote legally, some of the pet owners felt they had reasons to celebrate their furry companions becoming adults.
"This cat's previous owner abandoned him, so I want to give him a big celebration to mark this milestone and wish him a long life," Akiko Iizuka told Reuters, cuddling mixed-breed Mi in her arms.
Another participant said the Pets' Coming of Age Day was his only chance to celebrate, as he and his wife had no child of their own.
"This dog is no different than a son, so I'm glad I can give my son this celebration. I hope that he will be healthy forever," said Takeshi Takeda, who came to the event with his wife and his poodle.
Japanese pop star Kii Kitano, who turns 20 in March, joined the pets to celebrate moving on from her teenager status.
1,430,000 boys and girls celebrated Coming of Age Day on Monday (January 10) this year, which is about one percent of Japan's population, local media reported. This has halved since 35 years ago, when it was two percent, due to Japan's aging society and low birthrate. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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