the japanese think that these ages are very important. at the age of seven. agirl wears an obi for the first time . the obi is a piece of cloth which is worn round the waist over the kimono at the age of five, a boy wears his first hakama pants in public. hakamas were worn by samura in the past. the age of three is speccial in japanese culture because it is the time when children are allowed to let their hair grow.