Information

2013.05.06

“Kodomonohi”, Japan’s Boy’s Day (Children`s Day)

May 5 of every year is Japan’s “Boy’s Day” or “Kodomonohi” 「こどもの日」which started in the Nara era during 710-784. The Japanese emperor at that time organized the “boy welcoming ceremony” called “Tango no Sekku”「端午の節句」 or Boy’s Day inside the palace, believing that it would contribute to the boys’ good health, strength and development both in terms of health and career. From that time on, it has become the tradition which has been inherited year after year.

There are 5 ceremonies of the Japanese emperors which are based on the seasons. Apart from the boy welcoming ceremony on the 5th day of the 5th month (May), there are also the “Nanakusa” 「七草粥」 ceremony in early spring on the 1st day of the 1st month (January) when 7 types of grass are eaten, the “Hinamatsuri” 「ひな祭り」 or the girl welcoming ceremony during the peach blossom period on the 3rd day of the 3rd month (March), the “Tanabata” 「七夕」 ceremony in summer on the 7th day of the 7th month (July) and the last one which is the autumn ceremony on the 9th day of the 9th month of every year. These ceremonies have been organized until today.

As for the “boy welcoming ceremony”, families which have a son will put up a carp flag or “Koinobori” 「鯉のぼり」and bring out “Kabuto” 「兜」or a helmet that the samurai worn during a war in the ancient time. The practice of displaying “Kabuto” began since the Kamakura era (1185-1333) which believed that Kabuto armor would help protect the boy in such house. Later on in the Edo era (1603-1867), there was an idea to put up a carp flag. For Koinobori, a small fish will be on the bottom. The sizes and the vibrancy of the fish will increase respectively. The fish on top is the largest and most beautiful one. Some people call it a “dragon”. The order of fish on the flag is believed to make a boy grow up with physical and mental strength, have a good career and become powerful in the future.

On the Boy’s Day, in Kanto or the eastern part of Japan, Tokyo and other neighboring cities, mothers and senior people will make a dessert from sticky rice called “Kashiwamochi” 「柏餅」for children to eat. On the other hand, in Kansai or the western part of Japan, Kyoto, Osaka and other neighboring cities, people will make a snack from sticky rice called “Chimaki” 「ちまき」.
Japan’s samurai social basis which believes that a son has the duty to inherit his surname to the next generation and to lead his family to success is the reason for the importance of “family” and the emphasis on children, both boys and girls.