Mezameta Ōkami

Welcome Young One
"Come on! You're going to want to watch this!" Kenji grabs my hand and drags me towards the main square. A large crowd has gathered and in the center stands a group of children, somewhere between twelve and fourteen. Opposite of them are a group of adults. All are Ōkami except one woman in a beautiful silver and white kimono and hakama. "The one in the middle, she's a priestess. She'll oversee the ceremony."
"What ceremony?" I ask.
"Mezameta Ōkami, the Awoken Wolf. It's a coming of age ceremony that all Ōkami go though during the Masturi after their first transformation." He points to a couple of the kids. "See those marks on their hands. They haven't learned to control the Wolf so that'll keep them from transforming tonight so they can get through the ceremony."
Kenji falls silent, blinking then looks at me. "You didn't get to go through this after your first transformation, did you?"
"Dad died when I was seven, I transformed three months after I turned thirteen." Kenji glances over at the group then back at me.
"Wait here." He says before disappearing.
"Kenji, Kenji!" I can smell him but where did he go? Then I see him, talking with the priestess. They glance in my direction and she nods her head. Kenji runs back over to me.
"Come with me." He says, taking my arm. He walks me into the center of the square and leaves me in the line with the kids. I look at them then to the priestess. She smiles at me.
"Welcome, Master Fujimori." She says gently. "Your father was from this city and has been greatly missed. It is unfortunate that you did not get to go through this ceremony when you first came of age but we welcome you here, now, if you wish to participate."
"I don't know what to do." I answer. "I know so little about Yorutoshi."
"Watch and learn then." The priestess takes a breath. "Our wondrous Goddess, you have blessed us this year with many strong Ōkami. We thank you for your continued protection through these divine warriors you hand selected. Today, we welcome them, honoring them and the path they have been chosen to follow."
The first pup steps forward, a girl around thirteen, as her father does, meeting him center. The priestess joins them, resting a hand on the girls head. "Blessed you are, Child of the Moon, for the Wolf has awoken in you. Now as you grow, you will become a protector of our lands and homes, whether you train as a warrior or writer. Protect our boarders, protect our memory and protect our lives."
The girls' father then paints something onto her forehead. He smiles then speaks, "A guardian of our family, you have become; follow your heart, trust your instincts and believe in your Wolf."
The girl smiles and wiggles with excitement. Then her father puts a pendent around her neck, kissing her head afterward. I watch, the last in the line, as each of the young Wolves gets their turn. Then the priestess reaches me, still smiling. Next to her stands my great-aunt, who I hadn't even realized had arrived. I smile back, nodding my head. The priestess rests a hand on my head and gives me the blessing. My great-aunt paints the symbol on my forehead; "A guardian of our family, you have become; follow your heart, trust your instincts and believe in your Wolf."
She places the pendent around my neck and kisses my head. "I know your father would be so proud of you." She whispers.
"Welcome, young ones, blessed and beautiful!" The priestess says loudly. "May your path always have light, however faint and may you be a light for others to follow!"

History

After the first generation of Ōkami had children, it became apparent that the gift our wondrous Goddess had bestowed upon them would indeed be passed on. It was at that time my ancestors decided to create a coming of age ceremony for the young Ōkami. It would be held on the night of the full moon during the Tuski no Matsuri.

Participants

As the ceremony starts, a priest or priestess and a member of the young Ōkami's family, usually Ōkami themselves, will walk to the center square of the village/town/city. The young Ōkami will line up in front of them, facing their family member. The ceremony starts with the priest or priestess praying, thanking our Goddess for the new generation of Ōkami. The afterward, the young Ōkami are met by their family member and are marked with the family crest and the mark of our Goddess on their foreheads.
The young Ōkami would have gone though their first transformation on a full moon in the year past. For boys this happens at some point between eleven and thirteen usually, for girls it's their first full moon after their first menstrual cycle.

Observance

During the Tuski no Matsuri, on the second day, the day of the full moon.