Does your country have "Children's Day"? In Japan we cerebrate May 5th as "Children's Day". This used to be a day when people prayed for young boys' healthy growth, (March 3rd is Girls' version of the day) and as a traditional custom we put out decorations such as dolls in Japanese samurai outfits, armor set, Koi-nobori (carp flyer) and such with wishes that boys will grow healthy and strong. The carp flyer's origin is a Chinese myth, that a carp swam up water fall and went through heaven's dragon gate and became dragon. This flyer symbolize a wish to become something greater. We appreciated the traditional decorations in the school, and had a special Japanese treat for this holiday, Kashiwa-mochi (rice cake wrapped with Kashiwa leaf)!! |
