Ideas for handmade Chitose-ame bags you’ll want to use as reference
Shichi-Go-San is a celebration to wish for children’s health and happiness and to mark their growth.
Around November 15, families visit shrines and have photos taken, and recently more people have been making the outfits and accessories used for the photos by hand.
In this article, we’ll focus on one particular accessory—the Chitose-ame (thousand-year candy) bag—and share handmade ideas for it.
We’ll introduce ideas in three sections—materials and taste (style), design, and patterns—so we hope it will be helpful when you make your own.
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Design (1–10)
Dried flowers
Decorations using flowers are a classic arrangement often seen for Halloween and Christmas.
Simply adding a small dried flower to a Chitose-ame bag with a bit of tape instantly creates a festive look.
If you have multiple children, it could be fun to adjust the flower colors to suit their gender or age.
You can also experiment with where and how many you display to create a variety of arrangements—highly recommended.
It’s easy to try, so give it a go!
Liberty print
How about a Chitose-ame bag made from Liberty Print, the distinctive patterned fabric originating from Liberty of London? There are many kinds of Liberty Prints, with a wide range of choices from simple and cute designs to bold and luxurious ones full of patterns.
Also, designs that incorporate ideas from “cartonnage,” a traditional French craft, use Liberty Prints in a very ornate way and are truly beautiful—so if you’re interested, be sure to look them up.
Cranes made with handprints
Cranes are a classic symbol of longevity and health for grandparents, aren’t they? How about a bold handprint craft to represent a crane? It’s simple: dip the children’s hands in white ink that suits the bag, then press their handprints firmly onto it.
To finish, add a turtle illustration or decoration—also a symbol of longevity—for an even cuter look.
If you keep this Chitose-ame bag, it will become a nostalgic keepsake the children can look back on when they’re grown.
number(s)
Shichi-Go-San, a traditional event that prays for and celebrates the healthy growth of children aged seven, five, and three, is written using kanji numerals.
Because kanji tends to give a distinctly Japanese look, a chic and simple handmade chitose-ame bag idea recommended for those who want a cleaner style is to use the numbers “753.” You can handwrite the numbers, but using stamps or stencils will give a neat finish.
By combining different paper colors for the bag and ink colors for the stamp, you can create many variations; it’s simple, so it’s easy to tailor to your child’s preferences.
Camellia flower
The camellia flower is one of the traditional, classic Japanese patterns.
With red and white varieties, its large petals are beautiful, and as a winter flower the camellia is also said to be a sacred tree with the meaning of warding off misfortune.
Bold red-and-white camellia patterns are gorgeous, and so are chic, modern colorways.
They pair well with clothing for a modern look, and they’re a perfect fit for a Chitose-ame candy bag, especially with traditional Japanese attire.
While flowers often evoke a girlish image, using chic colors makes it easy for boys to wear too, giving an elegant, charming impression.
mizuhiki (traditional Japanese decorative cord made from washi paper)
How about a Chitose-ame bag decorated with mizuhiki, whose vivid red and white colors give a festive impression? Mizuhiki also carries the meaning of connecting people, making it an auspicious motif for children who are about to spread their wings in society.
When customizing a Chitose-ame bag, you could of course use mizuhiki as a backing, but it might also be fun to create a mizuhiki-inspired arrangement by gathering red-and-white decorations from 100-yen shops.
If you have the time, it could be nice to make it together with your child.
English
Even traditional Chitose-ame candy bags take on a completely different, stylish vibe when you add English.
In addition to writing words like “Shichi-Go-San” or “Congratulations” in English, you can include a message for your child.
Try different expressions—use cursive, mix uppercase and lowercase letters freely, and experiment.
You can, of course, write by hand with a pen, but there are plenty of alphabet materials like stencils and stamps as well, and the same word can look very different depending on the style.
