On Monday, to mark Coming of Age Day, a ceremony was held at Hofu Tenmangu Shrine in Hofu Town, Yamaguchi Prefecture, during which young adults shot arrows to drive away evil spirits.
In Japan, the legal age of majority was lowered from 20 to 18 in 2022, but many people still celebrate the milestone when they turn 20.
“Yumi Hajime shiki” is an annual ritual celebrated on Coming of Age Day to commemorate Sugawara Michizane, said to have been a master archer in the 9th century.
Twelve men and women experienced in Japanese archery took part in the event, dressed in traditional hakama. Each shot two arrows at a target located 12 meters away.
The target, with a diameter of more than one meter, bore the kanji character meaning “evil”.
A large crowd had gathered in front of the main hall of the sanctuary. She cheered warmly when the arrows hit the target.
A 19-year-old student, who will soon be 20, said she pulled the string of the bow thinking of a life where she could help many people. She added that she hopes to become an adult responsible for her actions.
