- The Origins of Kodomo no Hi<\/a><\/li>
- The Meaning Behind Koinobori Carp Streamers<\/a><\/li>
- How is Kodomo no Hi Celebrated Today?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
The Origins of Kodomo no Hi<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The origins of Children’s Day are deeply connected to the<\/strong> Chinese lunar calendar<\/strong> and folklore. In China and other East Asian cultures, the fifth day of the fifth month is known as the Dragon Boat Festival. In Japan, it was introduced under the reign of Empress Suiko as Tango no Sekku. Since the Nara period, it was celebrated at the imperial court just like the other ceremonies that marked the seasons. It was a time for archery games, horse races, and purification rituals to ward off bad luck, as the fifth month was considered inauspicious. The festival also marked the rice-planting season, with prayers for a good harvest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During the Kamakura era, the festival took on a martial meaning as samurai culture grew. Initially, samurai helmets and armor were displayed during Tango no Sekku as part of their annual maintenance before the rainy season. Over time, this practice took on a symbolic meaning, representing<\/strong> military strength and protection<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/03231243\/tango-no-sekku.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/03231245\/tango-no-sekku-print.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe festival\u2019s rituals, once focused on warding off evil spirits, also became a way to wish for young boys to grow strong and courageous<\/strong>. During this period, the shobu<\/em> \u83d6\u84b2 plant (Japanese Iris) was adopted as a samurai symbol due to its phonetic resemblance to shobu<\/em> \u5c1a\u6b66, meaning “warrior spirit.” <\/strong>That is why you will also see May 5th celebrated as Shobu no Sekku, and shobu leaves used for decorations and celebratory sweets<\/strong>. This connection may also be why the custom of taking shobu-infused baths continues even today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n ![\"beewort](\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/10190444\/Article-21-16.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"shoubu](\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/10190432\/Article-21-17.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIn<\/strong> 1948<\/strong>, Tango no Sekku was renamed Kodomo no Hi<\/strong> and officially became a national holiday dedicated to all children \u2013 both boys and girls \u2013 to wish them good health, happiness, and a bright future<\/strong>, as well as to honor their mothers. Most Japanese, though, still consider it and celebrate it as Boy’s Day.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/04001314\/kodomo-no-hi-koinobori-s-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo: Gianpiero Mendini<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n While influences from China remain \u2013 such as sweet dumplings and dragon boat races in some regions \u2013 in Japan Tango no Sekku evolved with its distinct symbols, with koinobori being the most iconic tradition for May 5th. But why are carp streamers so closely linked to this festival?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Meaning Behind Koinobori Carp Streamers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In Japanese culture, the carp (koi<\/em>) represents strength, perseverance, and success<\/strong>, as this fish is known for its ability to swim upstream against strong currents. This symbolism aligns with the values of Kodomo no Hi, which historically celebrated boys’ growth and courage. It is believed that koinobori became popular during the Edo period (1603\u20131868) when commoners began flying them as a counterpoint to the samurai families’ banners displayed on May 5th.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/02232900\/koinobori10.jpg\")
Photo: Mika Cunningham<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n They are windsocks made of paper or cloth, in the shape of carps. Each fish in the koinobori symbolizes a family member. Big carps represent parents, the black one for the father and the red one for the mother. The smaller fishes represent the children. Around the time of Children’s Day they can be seen waving above rivers and gardens, flapping on balconies, or simply as smaller decorations in houses and shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How is Kodomo no Hi Celebrated Today?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
While traditional decorations like koinobori and samurai armor are still widely used, their size and extravagance have diminished over time due to space constraints and costs.
Inside their houses, families display miniature replicas of helmets or May dolls (gogatsu ningyo<\/em>) representing warriors. You may also find figurines representing Kintaro<\/a>, a hero from Japanese folklore. He is a kid of superhuman strength, raised by a mountain witch, and known to have fought against a giant carp. It is customary to display a Kintaro doll on Kodomo no Hi in the hope that boys will become equally strong and brave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/02232044\/kodomo-no-hi-tsumago-1-681x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/02232044\/kodomo-no-hi-tsumago-2-681x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nPhoto: Cl\u00e9mentine Cintr\u00e9<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Special wagashi<\/em> are also eaten for the occasion, such as kashiwa mochi<\/em> (rice cake filled with sweet red beans, wrapped in an oak leaf) and chimaki<\/em> (sticky rice pastry covered with a bamboo leaf and steamed), the Japanese version of Chinese zongzi<\/em> eaten for the Dragon Boat Festival.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/03230647\/Kodomo-no-Hi-Kashiwamochi.jpg\")
Photo: katorisi Wikipedia Commons<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\nRegardless of how families choose to celebrate, the sentiment remains the same: wishing for children to grow up strong and healthy<\/strong>. For many Japanese, May 5th also marks the end of Golden Week, Japan\u2019s longest holiday period<\/a>, and it signals a return to daily routines.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"