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Japan - Children's festivals

Last week we featured many interesting facts on Japan, the Land of Cherry Blossoms, which is an emerging Super Power. Today we bring you more information on this beautiful land, especially about the children's festivals. Hina-matsuri, (Girls' Day). Kodomo-no-hi (Boys' Day or Children's Day), and Shichi-go-san (for children three, five and seven years old) are Japanese festivals especially for children.

Shichi-go-san Festival

Shichi-go-san is a festival celebrated on the fifteenth of November by parents in Japan, to mark the growth of their children as they turn three, five and seven years of age. Shichi-go-san literally means "seven, five and three".

These ages are considered critical in a child's life. Particularly, at the age of seven, a young girl celebrates wearing her first obi (The Japanese kimono obi is a traditional decorative cloth worn around the middle of a kimono), while at the age of five a young boy celebrates wearing his first hakama pants ( a skirt like pants) in public. The age of three marks the first time both boys and girls are allowed to let their hair grow.

The festival is said to have started in the Heian period (794-1185) where the nobles celebrated the growth of their children on a lucky day in November. The festival was subsequently set on the fifteenth of that month during the Kamakura period (1185-1333). Shogun Tsunayoshi Tokugawa was said to be celebrating the growth of his son, Tokumatsu, on that day.

Following the visit to the shrine, parents buy chitose-ame ("thousand years" candy) for their children. The candy is shaped like a stick and comes in a bag that carries illustrations of cranes and turtles - two animals that traditionally symbolise longevity in Japan. The candy and the bag are both expressions of the parents' wish that their children lead long and prosperous lives.

Kodomo-no-hi (Boys' Festival)

The Boys' Festival also known as the Tango-no-sekku is celebrated on May 5. On this day families celebrate the happiness and growth of their boys and carp steamers and ribbons are flown over the houses. The carp symbolises manliness because the carp swims up-stream against the strong current and waterfalls. The carp is an example for young boys as they become men because it stands for strength, courage and determination to reach difficult goals.The carp streamers are a reminder to boys that success will be reached if they overcome the difficulties in life.

The carp streamers come in different colours and sizes; the father is a big black streamer, the mother is red, and the children decrease in size according to their age. The ribbons that are flown with the carp symbolise the waterfalls the carp still has to overcome. The carp streamers originated from the victory over the invading Mongols on May 5, 1282.

Another thing that is seen on the boy's festival are warrior dolls or Musha-Ningyo. These dolls are displayed in the alcove of the house and have all the things that a warrior would have, armour, helmet, and a sword. These dolls represent one of two famous warriors, either Kintaro, a general who protected people from evil, or Momotaro, a boy warrior who killed giants.

These warrior dolls originate from the farming tradition of scaring away insects with scary figures. As farming progressed they no longer needed these figures. These scary figures have transformed into warrior dolls and have been moved into the house.

Recently the boy's festival has been changed to children's day. The traditions still remain the same. The children's day adds a little more to the holiday. Instead of a day just for boys, this day celebrates the growth, happiness and well-being of all children. Additional activities include a Children's Olympic, plays, dancing, and eating for children of all ages.

Hinamatsuri (Girls' Festival)

"Hinamatsuri (Doll's Festival)" is held on March 3. This is a day to pray for young girls' growth and happiness.

 It is also called "Momo no sekku (Peach Festival)" because of the peach blossom season on the old lunar calendar.

May 5 is "Kodomo no hi (Children's Day)," and this is the so-called "Boys' Festival." While Children's Day is a national holiday, Hinamatsuri is not.

Most families with girls display "hina-ningyo" (special dolls for Hinamatsuri) and dedicate peach blossoms to them. They are usually arranged on a five or seven-tiered stand covered with a red carpet.

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