Shichi-Go-San was celebrated on November 15 this year, but we celebrated it today. It is a long-cherished tradition that families uphold when their daughters are three and seven years old and their sons are five years old.

It was the first time I watched my son wear a hakama. The saying “no pain, no gain” comes to mind. He had to wear several layers of clothing, and his grandmother used an obi to tighten them around him. He wasn’t used to the discomfort and complained profusely. The adults around him just told him to 我慢 (gaman) (tahan in Singlish, endure in English). This may be the ignition point for the Japanese’s legendary reservoirs of resilience. It all starts with the Shichi-Go-San tradition.

Child mortality used to be severe in the past, so families rejoiced by celebrating the Shichi-Go-San ritual when their children reached these milestone ages. But I think that in this modern age, where raising a child incurs great opportunity costs in terms of self-actualisation and just taking life easy, this ritual symbolises a milestone achievement. After all, experienced parents say that five is the age when your kid grows a little more independent, thus enabling you to have a little of your life back. I find myself taking a breather more often these days.

Of course, I didn’t spend a lot of headspace on being philosophical. I just admired how he looked like a cute aristocrat. Kawaii! I gave thanks for him smashing into my life. I marvelled that I have been meandering my way through this fatherhood thing for over five years.