A literal as well as symbolic crossing of the threshold in the Meiji Jingu shrine, Tokyo.
This little girl, in her traditional finery, is all set to mark a milestone at the Shichi-go-san, a coming of age ritual celebrated annually at Shinto shrines across Japan. More about it here.
Thank you for visiting………..have a great weekend.
The Urge To Wander 
Sounds like a very interesting tradition they’ve… 🙂
– Rahul
It really is a fascinating tradition, and we were fortunate to have had the opportunity to witness it.
What a special day. I love your double take on the theme. Happy weekend, Madhu. 🙂
Thank you Imelda. To you too 🙂
interesting web design on your page now, Madhu!
Thanks Frizz. I felt like a change 🙂
Wow simply amazing Madhu to capture just the right moment! The quality photograph too is brilliant 🙂
Thank you Dilip. I was just luckyto be there at the right moment 🙂
What she is wearing is such a contrast to the modern clothing her parents are wearing.
It is Colline. And beautiful. Some mothers, and grandmothers were also in gorgeous silk kimonos as well.
Your photograph nails it for the challenge, Madhu. The rest of us can just wait for next weeks challenge and enjoy your excellent entry! No one can top it I’m certain.
Ah thank you so much for the generous compliment Ruth!! That was just a lucky shot 🙂
Cute girl. 🙂 Plus, I like the wood carving on that door.
Pure serendipity David! I was actually trying to get a shot of the door without people in the frame, when this family walked past 🙂
I love your new look, Calcutta background, Madhu. And as always, your picture walks in step with the pretty girl… 🙂
How have you been?
Keep flying around. Keep smiling.
Hey, great to see you here Meenakshi!!! Have missed you and your enchanting poetry. Come back soon 🙂
I hope the family got a photo at this very moment as well! Wonderfully captured.
Great – it can’t get much better than this! Excellent choice for the challenge, Madhu. I feeld deeply moved, watching this young girl. Wonderful capture of a special moment.
This is interesting as well as lovely, I’m intrigued by her age?
Thanks Gilly. Assuming she was about seven, since the name Shichi-go-san means seven-five-three.
A lovely shot, Madhu, and perfect for the challenge!
Thank you Naomi.
Interesting shot, Madhu!
Thank you Stefano.
Beautiful capture for the challenge, Madhu. 🙂
Thanks Sylvia.
Lovely capture, Madhu – talking about threshold!
Lucky capture more like, Ann Christine 🙂
Many cultures have their “rite of passage” ceremonies, huh? For some with questionable values, we’re glad they are no longer relevant. For those that have continued and have gone on to be more relevant, we celebrate! There are many historical significance a to them. Very interesting. Thank you for highlighting this one.
I agree. Many regressive ones in India have lost their relevance thankfully, although instances of practice in remote areas do surface occasionally. This one seemed like a delightful tradition though. Appreciate your thought provoking comment Mary-ann.
That is a milestone indeed, the coming if age. I’m so glad they’ve kept the tradition. Happy weekend, Madhu! 🙂
Thank you Marina. Another weekend almost upon us!! 🙂
wonderful photograph of their serious faces, appropriate for the ritual, and her colourful kimono makes a startling contrast with the setting and the other’s clothing … deeply appropriate for the theme, a thought provoking shot 🙂
Thank you Christine. It was their expressions that added to the scene.
Traditions give us solid anchors – hold on to them lest we become driftwood.
Thank you, Madhu, for this sharing.
I have a book on Shinto sent to me by one of my business associates in Japan before I made my first visit there. It was a good exposure to that culture along with the help I got on Japanese etiquette from a Japanese friend in Singapore. I came to the conclusion it was more a way of life than a religion though of course there are temples and shrines. Japan is such a wonderful place to visit, specially in cherry blossom time.
What a lovely pic,Madhu. It feels good to know that they have preserved the tradition by adding certain pleasant changes to it.
Serves me right- this wasn’t at all what I was expecting when I followed the link from Ruth’s, Madhu. But I love it 🙂 Happy Sunday!
I do love your people pictures as they always tell me a story
Lovely! I keep having a very special feeling about Japan and it’s culture… but this is a really long and old story! Have a great week… :-)claudine
kewl 1 🙂
Good capture of an important cultural event.
What a beautiful dress. A lovely tradition updated. Thank you for sharing, Madhu.
VERY sweet Madhu – and a wonderful challenge response. She is adorable!
The little girl looks so so pretty in her kimono!
The ritual sounds very interesting.. shall read up about it. Thanks for posting this!
Lucky you.. to be able to see and experience all of this in real life. 🙂
sempre grandi foto in questo bellissimo blog!
🙂
Fantastic entry! This week’s challenge stumped me… You have totally nailed it here Madhu!
I can’t think of a more perfect expression of this theme.
colorful and beautiful 🙂
Interesting! Thanks for sharing Madhu.
Nihon forever… 🙂 I’ve been to Japan 4 times and do hope to return asap… 🙂
have a pleasant week-end, cheers, Mélanie
Excellent entry .. excellent image .. and the little girl had also step over a threshold in her life. Great job, Madhu .. I wish you and your boys a great weekend.
Ruth (at http://rutheh.com/2014/04/05/weekly-photo-challenge-threshold/) sent me over here – and I’m very glad she did. What a fantastic image.
How apt! Thank you for sharing this, Madhu! 🙂