It’s still cold in most parts of Japan but in a few months, you will see flying carps floating from poles all around the country, flying koi carp? Then it has to be May in Japan, the month where the annual children’s day takes place. (こどもの日). The national holiday takes place on May 5 the fifth day of the fifth month, and is part of golden week. It is a day set aside to respect children’s personalities and to celebrate their happiness. It was designated a national holiday by the Japanese government in 1948. It has been a day of celebration in Japan since ancient times.
Until recently, the festivities were known as boy’s day while Girls’ Day was celebrated on March 3. In 1948, the government decreed this day to be a national holiday to celebrate the happiness of all children and to express gratitude toward mothers. It was renamed “Kodomo no hi” , children’s day.

On this day, families raise carp shaped flags because a carp in a Chinese legend swims upstream and becomes a dragon and the way the flags blow in the wind looks like they are swimming. The flags get set up with one carp for the father, one for the mother, and one carp for each child (traditionally each son). Families also display the traditional Japanese military helmet, Kabuto, due to their tradition as symbols of strength and vitality.

On children’s day, it is common and a tradition to eat Mochi rice cakes filled with bean paste as they’re an all time favorite of Japanese kids. 

Let’s look forward to spring !