Children's Day

こどもの日 (Kodomo no Hi)

Kabuto

Koinobori

May 5th is Children's Day. From old times it has been celebrated as the Boy's Festival, celebrating boy's growth and success in life, complementary to the Girl's Festival on March 3rd. Like the Girl's Festival's decorations, some families with boys also set out dolls with Kabuto (helmets) patterned after warriors and heroes on the top of a three-tiered stand covered with a green carpet. There is a gold folding screen behind the dolls and swords, small carp streamers and bonfires beside the dolls. On the 2nd tier are some arms and warrior accessories, and on the 3rd tier are sake and some sweet dumplings. However, recently it has been simplified by setting out only the Kabuto as you see above. We also decorate with dolls and irises.

Doll

Some fly big carp streamers called "Koinobori" in the gardens, as you can see the image on the right above. "koi" means carp and "Nobori" means streamers. We regard carp as a symbol of success in life because of its strength to swim up waterfalls. Usually there are 3 carp and they are considered to be the father carp, mother carp and son carp from the top to the bottom. You will be able to see more Koinobori in the country.

Some traditional families might put irises and yomogi (mugworts) in the eaves in their gardens to take away evil. Yomogi is a plant and looks like a mum. These families may also take a bath with sweet flag (irises) because it is said to have medicinal effect.

Irises

On this day, we eat sweet dumplings called "Chimaki" and "kashiwamochi." Some families with children may measure the children's height, making marks on the pillar inside the house.

Chimaki & Kashiwamochi

This is how you make kabuto with Origami. I used to make it out of newspaper. You can wear it!

Kabuto