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Tango-no Sekku is a Japanese May event.
Tango-no Sekku is an annual event held on May 5 to celebrate the birth of a boy and pray for his healthy growth.
In ancient China, people abhorred days that had the same odd number for both the month and the day, and various events were held on these days to purge evil spirits.
Dano" means "the first noon day," and although it was not originally limited to the month of May, the character "uma" for noon day was also read as "go," and the sound of the character "uma" became confused with the "five" of May 5th, the number "5.
Influenced by this, Japanese people also began to hold a ceremony to ward off bad luck on May 5 as Tango-no Sekku.
In modern Japan, it is familiarly known as Children's Day.
Since the Edo period, this day has been designated as an official holiday.
Since the birth of a male heir was the most important event for samurai families, they celebrated Tango-no Sekku by displaying helmets and banners, and the common people also followed suit.
In 1948, this day was re-established as Children's Day, a national holiday (to respect children's character, to promote their happiness, and to thank their mothers).
In summary, Children's Day is an event to pray for the healthy growth of children, and as you can see in the picture, raising carp streamers, decorating May dolls, and taking a bath in iris baths are common events.
The reason why carp is chosen as a symbol of Children's Day is because carp symbolizes the strength of life force and success in life.
Is this an event unique to Japan, where cultures from other countries, such as China, have drifted into Japan and blended with the Japanese culture?
If you happen to come to Japan at the right time, please try to find a "Koinobori" (carp streamer).
Tango-no Sekku is an annual event held on May 5 to celebrate the birth of a boy and pray for his healthy growth.
In ancient China, people abhorred days that had the same odd number for both the month and the day, and various events were held on these days to purge evil spirits.
Dano" means "the first noon day," and although it was not originally limited to the month of May, the character "uma" for noon day was also read as "go," and the sound of the character "uma" became confused with the "five" of May 5th, the number "5.
Influenced by this, Japanese people also began to hold a ceremony to ward off bad luck on May 5 as Tango-no Sekku.
In modern Japan, it is familiarly known as Children's Day.
Since the Edo period, this day has been designated as an official holiday.
Since the birth of a male heir was the most important event for samurai families, they celebrated Tango-no Sekku by displaying helmets and banners, and the common people also followed suit.
In 1948, this day was re-established as Children's Day, a national holiday (to respect children's character, to promote their happiness, and to thank their mothers).
In summary, Children's Day is an event to pray for the healthy growth of children, and as you can see in the picture, raising carp streamers, decorating May dolls, and taking a bath in iris baths are common events.
The reason why carp is chosen as a symbol of Children's Day is because carp symbolizes the strength of life force and success in life.
Is this an event unique to Japan, where cultures from other countries, such as China, have drifted into Japan and blended with the Japanese culture?
If you happen to come to Japan at the right time, please try to find a "Koinobori" (carp streamer).