Celebrated on May 5th, Tango no Sekku is a traditional Japanese event that prays for the healthy growth and happiness of children. This day is celebrated through special decorations and seasonal foods.

The Boys' Festival is filled with traditional Japanese customs, but surprisingly few people know the details of its origins and meaning.

So, this time we will introduce the history of the Boys' Festival and how to enjoy it. Let's learn more about the Boys' Festival and enjoy its charms.

The History of Japan's Boys' Festival Culture

The Boys' Festival, celebrated on May 5th, is a widely known traditional Japanese event. This event is deeply connected to customs handed down from ancient times and unique Japanese culture.

How did the Tango Festival begin and how did it evolve into its current form? Let's explore its history and background.

The origin of the Boys' Festival

The origin of the Boys' Festival can be found in the "Dango Festival" that was introduced from China. The word "Dango" is a combination of "end" (beginning) and "horse" (horse), and originally referred to the first day of the horse month. However, since the Han dynasty, May 5th has become the fixed date, as the sound of "horse" sounds similar to "five."

In China, May was considered an "evil month," and to ward off illness and disaster, ceremonies were held using strongly scented irises and mugwort to ward off evil spirits. The custom of throwing rice dumplings into the river to honor the poet Qu Yuan of the Warring States period also originated from the Dragon Boat Festival. This custom of offering rice dumplings was introduced from China to Japan, where it developed into a uniquely Japanese culture.

The development of the Tango Festival in Japan

The Tango Festival, which was introduced from China during the Nara period, became linked to Japan's unique agricultural culture and prayers to the gods, and developed into a unique event. At the time, May was rice planting season in Japan, and it was an important time to pray to the agricultural gods for a good harvest. This was fused with the Chinese custom of warding off evil spirits, and the Tango Festival became established as an annual event unique to Japan.

During the Heian period, an event called the "Tango no Sechie" was held at the Imperial Court, and it centered around warding off evil spirits using irises and mugwort. Ceremonies involving wearing crowns made from irises and picking medicinal herbs were part of aristocratic culture, and the Tango no Sekku festival became a special day deeply rooted in court culture.

Samurai Society and the "Martial Arts" Festival

Since the Kamakura period, the Boys' Festival has become associated with samurai society and developed into a festival that values martial arts, or "Shobu." Because the kanji for "shobu" (iris) is pronounced the same as "shobu," and iris leaves are reminiscent of swords, it became an important event in samurai households to pray for the prosperity of the family and the healthy growth of boys.

During the Edo period, the Boys' Festival was established as an official event, and it played an important ceremonial role, with warriors ascending to the castle to convey their congratulations to the shogun. It was also during this period that the custom of decorating armor and helmets, and the custom of flying carp streamers among the common people, were born.

Modern Children's Day

In 1948, May 5th was designated as a national holiday in Japan as "Children's Day." This day is said to be "a day to respect the individuality of children, pray for their happiness, and express gratitude to mothers." As a result, Tango no Sekku became a day to celebrate all children, not just boys.

Even today, traditional customs are passed down in homes, such as displaying May dolls and carp streamers, and enjoying kashiwamochi and chimaki. In particular, a baby's "Hatsu-sekku" (first festival of a baby) is an important event where families gather together to pray for the child's healthy growth. Through this holiday, you can feel the deep bonds between family members and hope for the future.

Traditional customs and ways to enjoy the Boys' Festival

The Boys' Festival is a traditional Japanese event that prays for the health of family members and the growth of children. This event is closely linked to special decorations, seasonal customs, and ancient food culture.

Each of these customs has a historical background and a uniquely Japanese meaning. Let's take a closer look at the charm of the decorations and foods that decorate the Boys' Festival.

Armor and helmet decoration

Armor and helmets were once important tools that protected the lives of samurai on the battlefield. During the Kamakura period, it was customary for samurai to donate armor and helmets to shrines to pray for their safety. Later, in times of peace, this custom changed to decorations in the home, and eventually became a symbol of protecting children.

Nowadays, small, decorative armor and helmets are displayed for the Boys' Festival. These are special gifts that are meant to protect children from harm and ensure their healthy growth. Some designs are modeled after historical warlords, paying homage to Japanese traditions and history. In recent years, modern styles and small, easy-to-use designs have become more common, and the number of armor and helmets continues to evolve with the times.

carp streamer

Carp streamers are decorations that symbolize the Boys' Festival in Japan, and are a custom that prays for the growth and success of children. Their origins date back to the Edo period, and are said to have been derived from a Chinese legend called "Toryumon." In this legend, a carp that climbs up a rapid river turns into a dragon, and the wish for "overcoming difficulties and achieving success" is put into it.

The colors of the carp streamers have meanings, with black carp (magoi) representing the father, red carp (higoi) representing the mother, and blue carp representing the children. Recently, carp streamers with a variety of colors and designs have been increasing. Carp streamers, which can be seen in Japanese homes and parks from spring to early summer, are a scene that symbolizes family ties and hope.

Iris bath

Taking an iris bath is one of the traditional customs that symbolize the Boys' Festival, and is performed to pray for good health and protection from evil. This custom began at the Imperial Court during the Heian period, and spread to ordinary households during the Edo period. It is believed that the scent of iris has the power to ward off evil spirits, so on Boys' Festival, people bathe with iris leaves floating in the bathtub.

Iris is also known as a medicinal herb, and has long been believed to be effective in relieving fatigue, promoting blood circulation, and improving poor circulation. For this reason, iris baths have been valued as a custom to protect health before the rainy season, when people are more likely to fall ill as the seasons change. Even today, iris baths are still practiced in Japanese households.

Chimaki

Chimaki is a traditional food that is indispensable for the Boys' Festival, and its origins lie in the Chinese "Dragon Boat Festival." It is said to have started in China when glutinous rice was wrapped in bamboo tubes or leaves and thrown into a river to commemorate the poet Qu Yuan. Even today, sweet chimaki made with glutinous rice is common in China, but in Japan, soft, sweet chimaki made with glutinous rice flour is more common.

Japanese chimaki are especially popular in the Kansai region, and are characterized by their long, thin shape wrapped in bamboo leaves. Bamboo leaves have a preservative effect, and the aroma of the leaves gives them a unique flavor. They are also said to ward off bad luck.

Kashiwamochi

Kashiwamochi is a traditional sweet that symbolizes the Boys' Festival, a festival unique to Japan, and became popular after the Edo period. Its distinctive feature is that it is wrapped in oak leaves. Oak leaves have the characteristic that "old leaves do not fall off until new buds grow," so they are considered a symbol of family prosperity and the prosperity of descendants. In this way, kashiwamochi is filled with the wish that "the family line will continue."

There are many different types of bean paste inside, with sweet koshian and tsubuan being the most common, but in some regions, salty miso paste is used. The chewy skin and the aroma of oak leaves are a perfect combination, giving you a taste that makes you feel the spring in Japan.

summary

The Boys' Festival originated as a custom introduced from ancient China, and developed into a unique culture while being influenced by Japan's view of nature and samurai society. Its history, customs, and food culture are imbued with deep feelings of wishing for the healthy growth of children and the happiness of families.

Even in modern times, the Boys' Festival adds color to our lives through decorations such as armor, helmets, and carp streamers, and foods such as kashiwamochi and chimaki. Why not experience the richness of Japanese culture and the bonds of family through this traditional event?