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Celebrating Children’s Day in Japan

May 5th is Children’s Day celebration in Japan that falls under the golden week holiday.

Tango no Sekku is known as Boy’s Day (also known as Feast of Banners) while Girls’ Day (Hinamatsuri) is celebrated on March 3.

In 1948, the government decreed this day to be a national holiday to celebrate the happiness of all children and to express gratitude toward mothers.

It was renamed Kodomo no Hi.

Before this day, families raise the carp-shaped koinobori flags (carp because of the Chinese legend that a carp that swims upstream becomes a dragon, and the way the flags blow in the wind looks like they are swimming), one for each boy (or child), display a Kintarō doll usually riding on a large carp, and the traditional Japanese military helmet, kabuto. Kintarō and the kabuto are symbols of a strong and healthy boy.

Families are seen displaying “Kabuto (a helmet used in olden times, ) at home to wish a healthy and  grow to be a strong  man.

Also read: Riverside Chakra The Relaxing Way to Enjoy Fall in Matsusaka

Kintarō (金太郎?) is the childhood name of Sakata no Kintoki who was a hero in the Heian period, a subordinate samurai of Minamoto no Raikou, having been famous for his strength when he was a child. It is said that Kintarō rode a bear, instead of a horse, and played with animals in the mountains when he was a young boy. (source Wikipedia)

(A nobori  is being raised in a park near my place during a week of the celebration.)

 

6 Comments

  1. Edgardo Roxas May 5, 2021
    • Ann May 7, 2021
  2. Jenny labutap May 5, 2021
    • Ann May 7, 2021
  3. Apple Joy Camañero May 5, 2021
    • Ann May 7, 2021

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