May 5th is Children's Day (Kodomo no Hi) and also Boys’ Day (Tango no Sekku) in Japan. In this article, we explore how Japanese Children’s Day came to be, how it is celebrated, and what traditional food is eaten.
Table of Contents
- When is Children’s Day in Japan?
- The Origin of Japanese Children’s Day
- How is Children’s Day celebrated in Japan?
- Children’s Day Celebrations Across Japan
- To Close
When is Children’s Day in Japan?
Children’s Day is celebrated on May 5th in Japan. It is an official public holiday and is one of the holidays included in Golden Week.
Children’s Day is celebrated not only in Japan but all over the world, though the date differs from country to country. How Children’s Day is celebrated is also different for each country, with each having its own twist and culture. In Japan, Children’s Day emphasises the happiness of children, and is a day to show gratitude to mothers who raised their children to be strong and happy.
May 5th is also known as 端午の節句 (Tango no Sekku), aka Boys’ Day. It is the male equivalent of Hinamatsuri (雛祭り), which is also known as 桃の節句 (Momo no Sekku), Dolls Festival and also Girls’ Day, and is celebrated on March 3rd.
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The Origin of Japanese Children’s Day
If we talk about the origin of Japanese Children’s Day, we have to start from 端午の節句 (Tango no Sekku). 節句 (Sekku) was introduced from China during the Nara period. It is a festival that represents the transition of one season to another in ancient Japan. During the olden days of Japan, there were many Sekku, but in the Edo period, only the following 5 festivals in Japan, called 五節句 (gosekku), could be found.
- 7th Day of the 1st Month : 人日 (Jinjitsu) aka 七草の節句 (Nanakusa no Sekku / Feast of the Seven Herbs of Health)
- 3rd Day of the 3rd Month : 上巳 (Joushi) aka 桃の節句 (Momo no Sekku / Peach Festival), ひな祭り (Hinamatsuri)
- 5th Day of the 5th Month : 端午 (Tango) aka 菖蒲の節句 (Ayame no Sekku / Iris Festival)
- 7th Day of the 7th Month : 七夕 (Tanabata) aka 星の祭り (Hoshi no Matsuri / Star Festival)
- 9th day of the 9th Month : 重陽 (Chouyou) aka 菊の節句 (Kiku no Sekku / Chrysanthemum Festival)
Among these Sekku, for the 5th day of the 5th month, there is only Ayame no Sekku (Iris Festival). So how did Children’s Day end up on the same day as Tango and Ayame no Sekku?
According to the records, when the law was revised in Japan during World War II and Japan’s public holidays were set, May 5th was selected by the government to be a public holiday to celebrate the joy of all children (both boys and girls) and to appreciate the mothers that raised children. The day was renamed to 子供の日 (Kodomo no Hi), which means “Children’s Day” - 子供 (kodomo) means children, 日 (hi) means day. .
How is Children’s Day celebrated in Japan?
In Japan, Children’s Day is celebrated with special decorations like carp streamers, eating special dishes and sweets, and soaking in an Iris leaves bath. Here, we introduce how Japan celebrates Children’s Day. There are slight differences depending on the region which we will explain as well.
Children’s Day Food
Let’s start with the special foods that are eaten on Children’s Day.
柏餅 Kashiwa Mochi
柏 (Kashiwa) is a Japanese oak tree. Kashiwa Mochi are rice cakes (mochi) wrapped in a leaf from a Kashiwa tree. The rice cake has a sweet red bean paste filling. The Kashiwa oak leaf has a distinct pleasant smell. The leaves of oak trees are resilient even through winter, so it carries the meaning of an unwavering good spirit. In addition, because old oak leaves do not fall off until the new leaves grow in, it also symbolises the prosperity of descendants. The oak leaf is not meant to be eaten and used only for symbolism.
粽 Chimaki
Chimaki is glutinous rice wrapped in a bamboo leaf. The original chimaki is from China, called Zongzi, and is a rice dumpling containing glutinous rice and a mixture of ingredients wrapped in bamboo leaves. In Japan, there are 2 types of chimaki in Japan, savoury and sweet depending on the region in Japan. The savoury chimaki is similar to the original Chinese Zongzi, while the sweet version is closer to a Japanese Wagashi confectionery. Their shapes are also different. The savoury is a stout triangular, while the sweet is a thin conch shell.
For Children’s Day, the sweet chimaki is normally eaten, and makes an appearance in supermarkets around Japan. After unwrapping, the glutinous rice is eaten with sugar or kinako (roasted soybean flour). In the past, it was believed that eating chimaki could prevent sickness and misfortune as its appearance resembles a snake.
Kashiwa Mochi and Chimaki are the foods that are most symbolic of Children’s Day in Japan. According to surveys, people in Kanto tend to prefer Kashiwa Mochi, while people in Kansai prefer Chimaki.
Traditions & Decorations for Children’s Day
As mentioned above, carp streamers are a special decoration for Children’s Day. Decorations for homes with children can be separated into 2 parts: exterior decoration and interior decoration. The outside is usually decorated with carp streamers, while the inside is usually decorated with a soldier doll.
鯉のぼり Koinobori
Koinobori is a carp (koi) streamer that decorates the outside of the house. It is said that this tradition first started in ancient times, when a boy is born into a military household, the birth of the child is celebrated by hanging fish symbols and carp flags in front of the house.
Why carp?
Because carp are strong and can swim in rivers with strong currents. Therefore, the decorating with Koinobi for Children’s Day carries the wish of parents for their children to grow up strong like a koi.
Koinobori usually have 3 carp-shaped windsocks attached. The 3 fish represent the household.
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真鯉 (Magoi) : Black carp represents the father.
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緋鯉 (Higoi) : Red carp represents the mother.
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子鯉 (Kogoi) : Blue carp represents the children.
五月人形 Gogatsu Ningyo
Gogatsu Ningyo, translates to “May Doll”, is an interior decoration for Boy’s Day in the form of a soldier doll. The soldier doll symbolises strength and carries the wish for boys to grow up strong. The armour symbolises protection from danger. The soldier doll is usually brought out from April to mid-May. Starting decorating on the day before Children’s Day is said to be bad luck and taboo.
兜 Kabuto
Kabuto are ancient Japanese warrior helmets. Meant for protection, they symbolise protection of children so they grow up strong and healthy. Displaying helmets as Children’s Day decorations is also a tradition in Japan. For families with young children, folding origami Kabuto and wearing them, or decorating the house with them, is a fun activity for Children’s Day.
菖蒲湯 Shoubu-yu
Since a long time ago, there has been a tradition to bathe in a bath of Iris leaves on Tango no Sekku. This is because Iris leaves have a strong fragrance that is believed to ward off sickness and bad things. This practice has been passed down till now. On Children’s Day, the family usually prepares a bathtub with Iris leaves to soak in.
Children’s Day Celebrations Across Japan
When Children’s Day comes around, carp streamers are displayed and festivals are held around Japan. These colourful resplendent carp streamers stand out beautifully against the blue sky. Among the many festivals held across the country, here are some of the most famous Children’s Day festivals in Japan to check out.
Japan’s Largest Carp Streamer (Kazo City, Saitama)
© Kazo City
A carp streamer raising event is held in conjunction with Kazo City’s Peace Festival. The purpose of the festival is to wish for a safe and peaceful future, as well as to appreciate the current peace we have. A special ceremony, the carp streamer raising event, taiko drums, market & food stalls, etc. are part of the festivities.
Carp Streamers Meet Cherry Blossoms (Tatebayashi City, Gunma)
Tatebayashi Koinobori Carp Streamer Village Festival is a famous festival in Gunma prefecture. More than 4,000 colourful koi streamers are strung up over the Tsuruuda River from late March to early May. The cherry blossom season is in late March to early April, so if you time your visit right, you can see the carp streamers and cherry blossoms together.
Over 1000 Carp Streamers in the Air (Takatsuki City, Osaka)
Koinobori Festa 1000 is a popular event held in Akutagawa Sakurazutumi Park at Takatsuki City, Osaka. More than 1,000 carp streamers with children’s names written on them are raised up over the Akuta River. The festival is usually held on April 29th, and the carp streamers are usually raised from April 24th to May 6th. A variety of events like Taiko drumming, dances, performances, food stalls, etc. will be available.
To Close
Children’s Day in Japan is on May 5th. It is a day to pray for the health and happiness of children, as well as to honour parents who raise their children lovingly. On this day, festivals are held across Japan, and families eat special food and decorate their homes in celebration. It is a day rich in history, and a day where you can learn about Japan’s history and traditional culture.
