Children's Day
Children’s Day (こどもの日, Kodomo no Hi) is a Japanese national holiday celebrated on May 5 as part of Golden Week. It is dedicated to the happiness, health, and growth of children and serves as a day to express gratitude to parents, particularly mothers.
Origins and History
The holiday traces its roots back to Tango no Sekku (端午の節句), one of Japan’s five seasonal festivals (go-sekku) introduced from China during the Nara period (710–794). Originally a purification ritual held on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, it involved prayers for protection from evil spirits and misfortune.
Over time, the festival became associated with iris leaves (菖蒲, shōbu), which were believed to have protective properties. Samurai warriors embraced the holiday during the Kamakura period (1185–1333), as the pronunciation of shōbu is similar to 尚武 (shōbu), meaning "military honor". This led to the holiday becoming a celebration for boys, emphasizing the values of strength, courage, and resilience—qualities prized in samurai culture.
During the Muromachi period (1333–1573), samurai families began displaying miniature samurai armor and kabuto helmets as a symbolic way to protect boys from misfortune. This practice mirrored samurai traditions, where warriors would air out their armor before the rainy season. These displays became known as Gogatsu Ningyō (May Dolls).
By the Edo period (1603–1867), samurai families had also begun displaying musha ningyō—luxurious warrior dolls dressed in ornate clothing—to bring good fortune to boys.
Koinobori: The Symbol of Strength and Perseverance
During the Edo period, the custom of hanging koinobori (鯉のぼり, carp-shaped windsocks) emerged, inspired by samurai battle flags. In traditional beliefs, the carp (鯉, koi) was a symbol of courage and perseverance, inspired by a Chinese legend in which a carp swims upstream through the “Dragon Whirlpool” waterfall, transforms into a dragon, and ascends to the heavens.
Traditional Meaning of Koinobori Colors
Initially, the koinobori represented only the male members of the household, as Tango no Sekku was originally Boys' Day. The traditional color assignments were:
Black carp (Magoi) – Represented the father, the head of the household.
Red or Pink carp (Higoi) – Symbolized the eldest son, as the main heir of the family.
Additional blue, green, or other colored carps – Represented additional sons in the family.
By displaying koinobori, families wished for their sons to grow up strong and resilient, overcoming obstacles like the carp that braves swift currents.
The Transition to Children's Day and Modern Koinobori Colors
In 1948, the Japanese government officially renamed the holiday Children’s Day (Kodomo no Hi) and dedicated it to all children, regardless of gender. The celebration’s focus expanded to respecting children's individuality and ensuring their happiness.
With this change, the symbolism of koinobori evolved to reflect a more inclusive representation of the entire family:
Black carp – continues to represent the father.
Red or pink carp – no longer represents the eldest son; instead, it symbolizes the mother.
Blue, green, and other colored carps – now represent children of all genders, with different colors assigned to each child.
This shift transformed Children’s Day into a celebration of family unity, moving away from its former focus solely on boys.
Modern Celebrations
Today, Children’s Day is a vibrant holiday where families come together to celebrate their children’s happiness and future success. Many historical customs from Tango no Sekku remain, including:
- Displaying miniature kabuto helmets and samurai dolls inside homes;
- Hanging koinobori outside houses and public spaces;
- Taking children on family outings to parks, zoos, or amusement parks.
A key part of the celebration is enjoying traditional festive foods, such as:
Kashiwa Mochi (柏餅) – sweet rice cakes filled with red bean paste, wrapped in oak leaves (symbolizing family prosperity).
Chimaki (粽) – steamed glutinous rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves, believed to ward off evil spirits.
Since Children’s Day falls during Golden Week, many families take advantage of the holiday to spend quality time together, enjoying springtime festivities in Japan’s lush gardens and parks. Through its rich traditions, Kodomo no Hi continues to be a cherished celebration of childhood, family bonds, and cultural heritage.