Published November 13, 2010 | 
One place a person is almost certain to see painted faces is in a parade or at a festival. There is a Japanese festival called Shichi-go-san, held November 15. It is for girls, ages 3 and 7, and boys, ages 3 and 5. The parents take their young children to shrines for special blessings for healthy growth. The boys wear suits. The girls wear kimonos. Often you will see Japanese dolls dressed in brightly colored kimonos, wearing wooden sandals called geta. Their faces will be painted completely in white except for the red lips. The hair will be styled with floral adornments.
