Why and What is Children’s Day?

In Japan, Children’s Day is an annual festival [designated a national holiday by the Japanese government in 1948] held during the month of May to honor boys and girls. It is a day set aside to respect children’s personalities and to celebrate their happiness.  It grew out of two separate holidays, Girls’ Day and Boys’ Day.  Today Children’s Day combines parts of both of them.

Girls’ Day was called Hina Matsuri [HEE-nah MAHT-soo-ree; Hina means special dolls, Matsuri means festival] and celebrated on March 3rd with a tea party given for the girls and their special set of dolls. On the morning of the holiday, girls dressed in traditional Japanese clothes called kimonos [kee-mow-nos], and when everything was ready, the tea party began.  Many people believe the idea for Girls’ Day started thousands of years ago.

Two months after Girls’ Day, families would set aside a special day for boys. Boys’ Day, called tango-no-sekku [tahn-go-no-seek-koo] was held on May 5th. A month before Boys’ Day, fathers would put up a bamboo pole where carp [a kind of fish] windsocks were flown – one for each boy in the family. Just as dolls were handed down from mother to daughter, carp streamers were handed down from father to son.  Inside the house the family would set out small toy men dressed as ancient Japanese warriors called samurai [sah-moo-rye]. Boys were also given special treats [such as sweet rice cakes] on their day.

Children’s Day is a wonderful day for boys and girls; it is filled with special treats and fun things to do!