Kodomo no Hi or Japanese Children's Day

Kodomo no Hi or Japanese Children's Day

In India Children’s Day is celebrated on 14th November, coinciding with the birth anniversary of India’s first Prime Minister, Jawahar Lal Nehru, lovingly called as, “Chacha Nehru”. But in Japan, Children’s Day or Kodomo no Hi as it is called in Japanese, is celebrated on 5th May, annually.
Kodomo no Hi, was traditionally known as Boy’s Day (Tango no Sekku), there is also a Girl’s Day in Japan, called Hinamatsuri which falls on the 3rd of March. In modern times Boy’s Day was declared as a national holiday to celebrate the happiness of children and to thank mothers, renaming it to Kodomo no Hi.
On this day Japanese families raise carp-shaped flags called, Koinobori flags. Because according to legend, a carp that swims upstream becomes a dragon and the way that the flags blow in the wind looks like they are swimming carps.
Typical Koinobori Flags
The top flag symbolizes the family crest in the form of a colourful streamer, the second one symbolizes the father as the largest carp, the third one represents the mother and the rest symbolize children of the family.
Families also display a Kabuto or warrior's helmet which is a traditional symbol of strength and vitality.
A traditional Kabuto and children making paper Kabutos
And as is common with any celebration, good food is also involved. Kashiwa-mochi (Rice cakes filled with Red Bean Jam) , chimaki (Sweet rice paste wrapped in a bamboo leaf) and of course sushi are the popular dishes served on Children's Day.
Have you treated your kid's to the Sushi Junction Kid's Platter?
The Kid's Platter by Sushi Junction
Back to blog