Kodomo no Hi
Celebrated on May 5th, Kodomo no Hi marks the end of the holiday period known as Golden Week. Traditionally this was Boys' Day in Japan, but in 1948 it's name was changed to Childrens' Day to reflect the politically correct thinking of the time. Despite this change, however, many Japanese still consider it to be Boy's Day. The traditional activities that are practiced on this day, honor the male children in the family in the same way as they have done for centuries. Unlike Ocean Day or Respect for the Aged Day, Boys' Day has many time-honored festivities.
Boys' Day Traditions
Kodomo no Hi is best symbolized by the strings of koi carp you will see hanging from house windows, outside shops, and in the countryside, strung out over rivers. Why koi carp? There are traditional stories that tell of the strength, stamina and drive of the carp as it swims upstream, against the flow of the river current.
It is this concept that Koi Nobori, koi carp streamers, represent. They are an expression of the family wish that their male children will grow strong and be able to successfully face the challenges that life will bring. In Japanese culture, boys are still very much critical to the workings of society. Not in a sexist way as it is often perceived, but in a traditional system of roles. This is why Kodomo no Hi, or Boys' Day, is considered to be so important.
It is the long-established job of the elder son to take care of his parents once they reach a certain age. This does not mean the odd visit or dropping by to say hello. The son will move into the family home with his own family and take on the role of his father before him.
Other Childrens' Day Activities
In addition to the Koi Nobori streamers, it is also traditional to display Kintaro dolls in the house on Kodomo no Hi. Kintaro is a Japanese folk hero.
Stories are written about his superior strength and bravery and his rise to the status of a famous warrior as an adult. As with the carp stories, the tale of Kintaro supports the wish of the family for the success of their son or sons.
Kashiwamochi is a customary food that is eaten on Boys' Day. Mochi is the sticky rice that is found in many traditional Japanese dishes. To make mochi, it is necessary to take the cooked rice and pound it until it becomes a sticky pulp, as in the picture on the left. This is no easy task and the job is often shared as it can take hours to reach the correct consistency. In this case, the mochi is used to form a rice cake which is stuffed with bean paste and wrapped in oak or bamboo leaves.
Childrens' Day Event
A more recent event that has come to be celebrated on Kodomo no Hi is the Childrens' Day Olympics at the National Kasumigaoka Stadium. This is a big event and even includes a torch ceremony at the beginning of the games. The arena itself is the one that was built for the 1964 Japan Olympic Games. This is a fun event with a competitive edge to test the strength of the children participating, in line with the origins of Boys' Day.
