Children’s Day is a Japanese boy’s festival and is a day to pray for the healthy growth of boys. It is Japanese tradition for families with boys to display carp streamers (koinobori) outside their houses around this holiday. Carp are believed to symbolize successes in children’s lives. Samurai dolls called gogatsu ningyo (May Dolls) are also put on display in homes.
In my home because we have a son we display kabuto (Japanese military helmet worn by samurai). Many people have these as a seasonal decoration displayed during Children’s Day. Kabuto is displayed to express hope that each boy in the family will grow up healthy and strong. We bought quite an expensive one but really like having it displayed during Children’s Day.
You can see a picture of my kabuto below
This is my entry for this weeks edition of Show Me Japan
Read more about Golden Week here
The Secrets Of Speaking Japanese Fluently
I like very much the decorations for the Tango no sekku. I visited extensively the shops near Asakusabashi Station, where these decorations are sold, together with the Hina dolls...
ReplyDeleteThanks Muza-chan, love the decorations as well. We spent a great deal of time at numerous stores until we found the kabuto we liked best.
ReplyDeleteThat is one cool looking kabuto.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to buy one for souvenir esp since I have a son, but was terrified at the price. :p
My son would love one of those too!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lina & Lisa, my boy loves wearing it on Boy's Day. It was pretty expensive but makes a good souvenir and display from Japan.
ReplyDeleteMy friends' son very proudly showed me his doll today. It looked really fierce. :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm still catching up on posts, argh!
ReplyDeleteBut I always like how informative your posts are. ^^)b
I totally want one of those too. ;)
Thanks Ri, I really appreciate it. They are really cool and we love showing it off.
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