Weddings and 7-5-3

I went to Meiji Jungu at the weekend, a shrine in a large park in Tokyo. The place seems to be something of a wedding factory. In a couple of hours I think I saw 4 or 5 different wedding parties. They assemble, parade across the temple courtyard following a large red parasol and disappear into a sanctum somewhere. A few minutes later you hear a large drum being gently banged. They all troop out again, have photos taken in a clearing in the woods and then scarper off somewhere for some slap-up sushi.

This weekend was also one of the main weekends for Shichi-Go-San (literally Seven-Five-Three), a traditional Shinto rite of passage. Girls of 3 and 7 and boys of 3 and 5 visit a shrine with their families to drive out evil spirits and wish for longevity and good health. Traditionally at 3 the children are allowed to grow their hair for the first time (no longer observed), at 7 girls are allowed to fasten their kimono with an obi (sash) rather than cords and at 5 boys are allowed to wear the hakama (pleated skirt-type affair) for the first time.

The Japanese love a good photo-opp and there seemed to be more people there taking photos than there were taking part. So I joined in.

A newly-wed couple. Nearly all the brides wore these Maria-esque
head coverings for the ceremony, removing them afterwards.
Their traditional hair-styles are exceptionally beautiful.

Amazing hair as mentioned.

Before the procession.

Guests following the parasol into the main courtyard.

A clearing in the woods with fine light spilling through the trees.

The men are wearing hakama (see above).

The ladies' kimonos took an awful lot of adjusting before the photos.
It seemed mostly that only the bridal party wore traditional Japanese outfits.
They are very keen on Western garb: there were lots of morning suits for the men
and this little boy is wearing the kind of thing I used to be dressed in.

This is the obi.

There were dozens of these enormous flowers dotted about.

Vegan wedding breakfast.

7-5-3 girls.

The boy on the right is wearing a hakama and celebrating 7-5-3.

You can see the medal the 7-5-3 children get.

This lad has an exceptional hat. I think he might be some kind of acolyte.

Spotted by a temple.