15th day of the year.

In the old lunar calendar, this is jougen, the first of three festivals (jougen, chuugen, kagen) that all take place on days of the full moon.

Even in the modern calendar, the 15th day is one of celebration in many regions.

The main purpose is to mark the end of the New Year season

and to send off the New Year gods.

There are many prayers for a plentiful harvest in the coming year.

The 15th is when the New Year Day's pine decorations are put away and the New Year season ends.

This season is known as Matsunouchi.

It's also called the "Little New Year".

It is the day that children have their coming of age ceremony, "genpuku".

There's also a custom of eating rice gruel with adzuki beans early in the morning and praying for good health in the future.

Also known as "Flower New Year" or "Women's New Year"...

It's a day that families and housewives are allowed to rest following a busy season full of chores and events.