O Children's Day (Kodomo no Hi- ど も の 日) is a Japanese national holiday, held annually on 5 in May and is part of the Golden Week (golden week). It's a holiday geared towards the boys.
For in Japan, boys and girls are traditionally honored on separate days, with Boys' Day and Girls' Day.
The girls have their day, the Hina-matsuri, or "Girls' Day", unlike Kodomo no Hi, Hina Matsuri is not considered a National holiday. In these small details, we realize that Japan remains a nation that distinguishes Men and Women, giving preference, of course, to Men.
However, Children's Day is after World War II, celebrated on the same Day of the Boys on 5 in May. The date was designated as a national holiday by the Japanese government on 1948.
Originally it was called Tango no sekku - 端午 の 節 句 (boys' day), this date was already celebrated since the Nara Era. Although the date today is also known as Children's Day, customs remain virtually the same.
Families express their respect for children by hoisting the Koinobori (colored carp in the form of burrows and flags) in their homes as a way of wishing their children strength. Families decorate their rooms with miniatures of helmets, armor, swords, bows and arrows representing the heroes Kintaro, Shoki and Momotaro. These heroes are also part of the mixed Koinobori.
It is also common to see the flags carps hanging in long lines on various rivers and canals throughout Japan.
- But why did carp (Koinobori) become the greatest symbol of Boys' Day?
It is that according to a legend, a carp swam against a waterfall and when it reached the top, it turned into a dragon. This means that the carp can swim against great currents and this represents for the Eastern people the strength and the courage that all must have to overcome the difficulties and adversities of the life.
National holiday: 5 May, Children's Day.