Children's Day
A day to respect children's personalities, promote their happiness, and express gratitude to mothers
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Kodomo no Hi (Children's Day) is a national holiday celebrated on May 5th. Its purpose is "to respect children's personalities, promote their happiness, and express gratitude to mothers."
Tango no Sekku (Boys' Festival)
May 5th was traditionally known as Tango no Sekku, the Boys' Festival, celebrating the healthy growth of boys. When it was designated as a national holiday in 1948, it was expanded to celebrate all children, regardless of gender, and to explicitly include gratitude towards mothers.
Symbols and Customs
- Koinobori (Carp Streamers): Families fly carp-shaped wind socks outside their homes. Based on a Chinese legend that a carp swimming up a waterfall becomes a dragon, they symbolize strength, success, and resilience.
- Gogatsu Ningyo (Warrior Dolls): Displays of samurai helmets (kabuto) or armor are set up indoors to protect children from misfortune.
- Shobu-yu: Taking a bath with floating iris leaves, believed to ward off evil spirits.
- Traditional Foods: Eating kashiwa-mochi (rice cakes wrapped in oak leaves, symbolizing family continuity) and chimaki (sweet rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves).