子供の日 - Children's Day (May 5th)

Children’s Day is a national holiday in Japan when people pray for the health and happiness of children. The 5th day of the 5th month was celebrated as the Iris Festival in ancient times when the lunar calendar was used. The Iris Festival, tango-no-sekku in Japanese, marked the beginning of the summer, and people prayed for boys to grow and be healthy. Today, the Boy’s Day Festival is on May 5th. Families that have boys put up carp-shaped streamers made of cloth (koinobori) outside. Samurai dolls in armor are displayed inside to drive away bad spirits and celebrate the future of the children. Children take hot baths with iris leaves called shobuyu, and eat kashowa-mochi and chimaki. Carp, samurai, irises, oak trees, and bamboo all symbolize strength and courage. Both of these traits have traditionally been desired, especially for boys.

5月5日の「子供の日」は、子供の健全な成長と幸福を願う国民の祝日です。5月5日は、旧暦では夏の始まりを告げる「端午の節句(たんごのせっく)」に当たり、男の子の成長を祝う日でした。この日、男の子のいる家庭では、悪霊を追い払うために戸外にこいのぼりを掲げたり、室内に武者人形を飾って、子供の将来を祝います。子供は菖蒲湯(しょうぶゆ)につかり、柏餅(かしわもち)やちまきを食べます。鯉・武者・菖蒲・柏の木・竹は、力強さと勇敢さを象徴しています。この強さと勇敢さは、昔から特に男の子に望まれる資質なのです。