1000 Year Old Candy - Chitoseame

Chitoseame means “thousand-year candy,” is given to children on “Seven-Five-Three” Festival (Shichi-Go-San ).

Chitoseame is shaped like a long thin stick of red and white wheat gluten, which comes in a long white paper bag decorated with symbols of longevity and ensures healthy growth such as pine, bamboo, plums, cranes, and tortoises. Chitoseame and the bag are both expressions of parents’ wish that their children lead long, prosperous lives.

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Shichi Go San Festival - History

This childrens' festival is very old.

Shichi-Go-San is a Japanese custom that began in farming villages, where children often died young.

On November 15th, both boys and girls who are 3 years old will make their first debut at their local shrine wearing traditional Japanese clothes.

On this day, girls aged 3 and 7, and boys aged 3 and 5 visit shrines with their parents for special blessings. The parents offer prayers to the gods to thank them for the healthy growth of their children.

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Shichi Go San Festival - Japan

Shichi go san is a Japanese festival celebrated for children aged 7, 5 and 3. The official date is November 15th, however, many Tokyo families will hold their festivities on the closest weekend either before or after the official date. The celebration of 7-5-3 is not a national holiday on the Japanese calendar, so it's easier for families to get together on Saturday and Sunday.

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