January 11 is known as kagami biraki(鏡開き), literally the mirror opening. The round piled rice cakes called kagami mochi(鏡餅) which were decorated for the New Year's displays are taken down, and divided up and then cooked in a traditional dish of sweet adzuki bean soup called oshiruko (お汁粉).
Today is the national holiday called seijin no hi(成人の日), Coming-of-Age Day. It is a day to celebrate those who became 20 years old, and encourage them to become aware of their responsibility as adults and make a resolution to survive. Until 1999 it was held on January 15, but from 2000 the happy Monday system has been introduced and held on the second Monday of January.
There is a ceremony called seijin shiki(成人式) at each municipality.
The total number of new adults nation-wide is 650,000 men and 620,000 women. Last year there were 1,330,000 in total. This is the first year below 1,300,000. The biggest number of new adults is Yokohama city. There are 34,443. The ceremony was held twice and attended by 20,644 which is about 60%.
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