Kodomo no hi

One of my all time favorite holidays celebrated in Japan is Kodomo no hi, otherwise known as Children's Day.  Formerly known as Boy's Day (changed in 1948), May 5th is a day set aside to honor children for their individual strengths and celebrate healthy growth.  Most importantly, families wish happiness upon the children in their lives. 

Families adorn their homes with samurai helmets and koi fish flags.  Koi flags are everywhere this time of year, which is very festive and fun.  Maybe this is why I often call it Boy's Day instead of Children's Day - that and the fact that there's still a Girl's Day...  Many boys are gifted beautiful samurai dolls by their grandparents after they are born, which they put out for this holiday.

These photos are from a public display, not a in a home.

We have celebrated Children's Day for many years, even throwing a party in our home in the US one year.  We did the best we could in the US always stretching to get authentic treats and decorations.  Celebrating in Japan was much easier and felt even more special.

Weeks ago, we ordered the traditional snack eaten by children in Osaka - chimaki, a delicately sweet mochi wrapped in bamboo leaves.  We also ordered the more common kashiwamochi, a ball of mochi with sweet red bean paste in the middle and wrapped in an oak leaf.  Of course, there are so many options of treats to choose from, but we decided to stick to the traditional ones this year, since we had such a hard time finding them in the states.  My son loved walking to the traditional sweets shop in town to pick it up this morning.  It is always special to go to this shop and purchase their beautiful creations, just like many other parents have done for their kids for over 60 years.

Chimaki and kashiwamochi

Other treats available at the shop.

The old saying of "you  learn something new everyday" rang true today when I was told we needed to pick up iris leaves.  Not flowers, just the leaves.  They are put into the bathtub (similar to the yuzu we bathed in back in December) the iris is thought to promote good health and ward off evil.  Luckily, my husband knew just where to go to get some!

There are no obligatory gifts on this holiday.  Instead families celebrate simply by being together.  Since Children's Day is a national holiday, entire families are able to spend the day together, regardless if the 5th falls on a weekday or weekend day.  Besides the special treats and fancy bath, our family celebrated by going out to breakfast (well, a Japanese version of it - my son ate a tonkatsu/pork cutlet sandwich!) and my husband took him to a new park that we've never been to.

Mostly, we just spend the day thanking our lucky stars for the delightful boy that is our son.  He is healthy, happy, and wonderful in so many ways.