A celebration of ten years

Today, and March 7th annually, is Celebration of Ten Years Day 十歳の祝いの日 (Totose Iwai no Hi). A day created to celebrate children reaching the milestone of age ten. The date was chosen because the 3 and 7 of 3/7 (March 7th) create ten when added together. The word "totose" is an old Japanese reading of “ten years,” chosen to give the day a traditional, celebratory feeling. 

To be perfectly honest, I don't know why they have this day when they already have "Half coming of age day" on February 1st. I suppose there is a slight difference in their nuance. Moreover, the entities that established both days are completely different. The half coming of age day was established by a photo studio, no doubt to try and create more business, while Totose Iwai no Hi was created by an organization in Kyoto with no ulterior motive, other than to give children an excuse to look back on their growth and think about their future.

I had never heard of this anniversary until this year. If it is celebrated, I don't know how or where. The half coming of age day is more widely known in the prefecture I live in (Saitama). But there are other similar mid-point celebrations in Japan, such as Misoji Shiki (30th-year ceremony) for adults. Had you heard of "Totose Iwai no Hi".