Kaigun

Kaigun [界劫; かいぐん] is a traditional Kantonese holiday and celebration held annually on the second Friday of January. It is held in order to congratulate and encourage all those who have reached or will reach the age of maturity [18 years old] between January 7th of the previous and current years. The ceremony conducted on the day, called 界劫き [*kaiganeki*] is a traditional and ancient coming-of-age ritual which is held typically at a local or prefectural office. It is not uncommon for *kaiganeki* to be held in schools.

## History

*Kaigun* is a custom which is thought to have begun in the 6th or 7th century, albeit under very different practices. In its early versions, *kaigun* was more of a trial than a ceremony, and was essentially a way of preparing adolescents for their adult years by testing their resilience. Activities such as fasting, ice-bathing, coal-walking or even tattooing were common. By the 1200s, *kaigun* had transformed into more of a religious ceremony, taking place over one day rather than multiple weeks. The first descriptions of *kaigun* come from 1306, and detail how girls and boys would wear adult robes and hairstyles for the first time, oiling their hair and donning white face-paint for the event. In many regions, face-paint and hair oil are used to this day.

By the 1600s, Kantonese culture had developed a 'refined' form of *kaigun*, originally created in the Imperial court, which took longer and involved more ceremony, more costumes, and more partying afterward. Music and dance, often upbeat or riotous, was considered a healthy way of celebrating. In old Kantonese culture, dancing was often used as a euphemism for sex. It was believed that the more dancing took place on the night of a *kaigun* ceremony, the more fertile the girl would become, and the more virile the boy. However, by the 1800s these traditions had faded, and the more rigid, ritualistic *kaigun* practiced today began to become commonplace.

## Ceremony

The night before the day of *kaigun*, adolescents are advised to write letters of gratitude to their parents, thanking them for providing them with support, nourishment, love, and so on. These letters are read aloud on the day, and often invoke tears from both parties. In recent years, it has become very common for girls to undergo extensive beauty treatments before *kaigun*, to ensure they look their best, but also as a way of cementing their adult maturity and sexuality.

At the start of the ceremony, any adolescents who can play instruments will perform for the crowd of family and friends attending, while others sing, dance or simply watch. Other talents, such as gymnastic abilities, may also be showcased. Afterwards, food and drink is served, and then both boys and girls will go to change into their costumes, which consist of traditional robes, white face-paint, light make-up, wooden sandals, and headdresses. Although it was once common for their hair to be slicked down with scented oil, this is now a by-gone practice, as many of the girls in particular wear hairstyles which don't allow for this.

The main event of the ceremony is the parade, during which the adolescents will dance, march, or skip around in a wide circle while music is played and the other attendees encourage them. After a few minutes of this, boys are encouraged to choose a girl they like and begin dancing with her, although girls are also allowed to approach boys. According to custom, one should kiss the last person one is dancing with when the music stops. If this isn't an appealing idea, or if they happen to be related, the couple should merely bow to each other.

The second half of *kaigun* is called *shokusai*, and begins with each adolescent reading out the letter they wrote for their parents the night before. After this, each young person is presented with a gift from their family, often something which symbolises their move into the world of adulthood. Money is most common [often around £500 or so], along with expensive clothing, shoes, or, as is most popular nowadays, car keys.

After this ceremony has been conducted, which often involves a lot of chatter and excitement, the last part of *kaigun* commences. This is called *tamakazen*, and is a blessing given by a local priest. Each adolescent is blessed, scattered with a few drops of salt water, and then presented with a small paper disc called *kohon*. These discs are meant to represent one's childhood, or more specifically, all of the immaturity and irresponsibility associated with being young. Using a ritual candle held by the priest, each young person burns their piece of paper and drops it into a metal tray.

*Kaigun* will usually end with a night of dancing and celebration, with many choosing to go out and visit nightclubs.