So the long-awaited “Golden Week” a.k.a. “GW” has come!
How are you all spending this long holiday?
 
 
One of the celebrated days of the GW, is called the “Children’s Day こどもの日” (kodomo no hi).
This is the day we are supposed to celebrate and wish for the health and happiness for kids, but mainly for boys.
 
 
Remember we had a day for girls back in March?
 
Just like many other countries in the world, we traditionally wish for happy marriage for the girls, but the strength and health for boys!
 
 
To symbolize these, the decoration for the Children’s Day to be the samurai armor or the armor’s helmet “兜” (kabuto).

 
 
 
So what else are decorated/eaten for the Children’s Day?
 
 
 
A type of mochi called “柏餅” (kashiwa mochi) is the seasonal sweets for May – the sweetened red bean paste is wrapped in mochi, then with the oak leaf. Not so pink and fluffy like the Girls’ Day tradition of the colorful rice puffs!

 
 
The schools/kindergartens, or anyone with a space in their house will also get their “鯉のぼり” (koinobori) out.

 
 
These are carps made of cloth, tied on a poll so that it will “swim” the sky – some towns/villages will have hundreds of them swimming all together which can be a breathtaking view!

 
 
This is also a season for fleur-de-lis (iris) in Japan, so you will see “菖蒲” (shoubu) flower everywhere 🙂
 
 
 
 
Written by Otoha