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The term "coming of age" is also used in reference to stories, movies, etc. that have a young character or characters who, by the end of the story, have matured in some way, usually through the acceptance of responsibility.
In Australia, New Zealand and numerous other countries a party known as the Twenty First has long celebrated the coming of age. On their 21st birthdays, young people and their families and friends traditionally gather together for social parties where gifts are presented to the birthday boy or girl. The practice is gradually waning.
Japan, since 1948, has held an annual ceremony called the Coming of Age day, the second Monday of January, for those becoming 20 years old in the new calendar year. The day used to be held January 15 until 1999. The day is a national holiday and local governments generally hold some ceremony. Females tend to wear yukata, a traditional Japanese formal dress. After this age, the right to smoke, drink and vote is granted to them. It was known as genpuku (see the section below) among samurai in the past.
Australia, NZ, etc.
Japan
Genpuku
Genpuku (元服) in Japan was a celebration that showed a samurai was considered to be an adult. The age of genpuku varied roughly from 12 to 18. They usually changed their name from their birth name to an adult name, changed their hair style and were started to be treated as an adult, for example, by separation from their mother or governess. Some were even given a territory to protect. No samurai was allowed to marry before genpuku. Females did not have genpuku or any equivalent ceremony.