May 5 – Children's Day in Japan

nPosted on May 5, 2019

Key points

nThis is the end of Japan’s Golden Week:
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nApril 29: Shōwa Day

nMay 3: Kempo Kinenbi (Constitution Memorial Day)
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nMay 4: Greenery Day
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nMay 5: Children’s Day!
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nThe old name for Children’s Day is Boy’s Day. It’s also called Feast of Banners.
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nBecause so many of Japan’s nine official holidays fall at the end of April and the beginning of May, the entire week was named “Golden” – a week when many companies and schools are closed down completely, and many Japanese people either travel or do leisure and recreational activities near home.
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nOn Children’s Day, families raise carp-shaped flags that look like they are swimming in the wind, with one carp for each family member (parents as well as children).
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nAccording to Chinese legends, carp swim upstream in order to become dragons!
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nThe insides of homes are traditionally decorated with samurai dolls and helmets and such.
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nThe day’s traditional treat are mochi rice cakes wrapped in leaves. The cakes may be filled with red bean jam.
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nOther traditions include baths sprinkled with iris leaves and roots, or special comic theater performed by kids. Of course many families have picnics or enjoy other fun activities.
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