Kodomo no hi - Children's Day

Friday, May 5 was “Kodomo no hi” in Japan. It means “Children’s Day”. Children’s Day and takes place annually in Japan, hoping for a healthy growth of children as well as their happiness for the year. Children’s Day was officially established in 1948 as a public holiday. Before 1948, it was known as “Boy’s Day’”. This is why those families with boys display some special decorations inside and outside their houses.

“Koinobori” is carp-shaped streamers. Carp are a symbol of strength, courage and success in Japanese culture because of their ability to swim against the current. A family with boys fly “Koinobori” out of their house. Another special display is “Gogatsu-ningyo” (May dolls). The family displays traditional ornaments such as “Kabuto” (samurai helmets), “Yoroi” (samurai armour) and “Katana” (samurai swords).

Year 12 and 10 students celebrated this Japanese tradition in class today. We have a black Koinobori and a Katana in class so we made Kabuto with newspaper!