Kodomo-No-Hi

CHILDREN’S DAY TRADITIONS

Text by: Mike Daley | Design by: Tiffany Kim

It is no secret that parents on Okinawa and in Japan love their kids—much like everywhere else in the world. For centuries, holidays have been dedicated to the success and happiness of the nation’s children. Parents take great pains in ensuring that their kids enter the best schools, and inordinate effort goes into finding the perfect names for their children—all the way down to the number of brush strokes it takes to write them.

In Japan, several holidays are specifically designated for children. While some traditional anniversaries, such as Hyaku-nichi-sai—a special ceremonial visit to a local Shinto shrine commemorating the baby’s 100th day on earth—are held informally by individual families, some holidays and festivals are actual national holidays. Every year in Japan, a holiday called Kodomo-no-Hi (Children’s Day) is celebrated on May 5 as a part of the string of Japanese holidays called Golden Week. Visitors to Japan will know it’s close when they begin to see two Kodomo-no-Hi mainstay traditions—koinobori (carp flags) flapping in the breeze above homes and department stores prominently displaying dolls of fierce, elementary school-aged, samurai warriors.

Koinobori

According to an ancient Chinese legend, a golden carp that had the courage to brave the numerous rapids and waterfalls of the Yellow River, and the strength to leap over the Dragon Gate at the rivers head, was rewarded for its perseverance by being transformed into a celestial dragon spending the rest of its days flying majestically above the land. Many in Asia believe that because of this legend, the carp represents the epitome of courage, strength and perseverance. It is popularly thought that the custom of flying carp-shaped flags called koinobori during the holiday also finds its roots in this myth.

Kodomo-no-Hi, (which was known as Tango-noSekku or “Boys’ Day” until 1948), falls on the 5th day of the 5th month in Japan, and was originally only a holiday for parents with sons. Parents with daughters would celebrate Hina Matsuri on the 3rd day of the 3rd month. Tango-no-Sekku, which was also known as Shobu-no-Sekku (The Iris Festival) during ancient times, had close ties to the warrior class. Many in Japan postulate that Tango-no-Sekku was originally set aside in commemoration of an allied samurai force defeating an invading army on the 5th day of the 5th month during the days of antiquity. As time passed, it is thought that this holiday was combined with parents’ collective wishes for their children to grow up strong and successful—and eventually became the holiday known as Kodomo-no-Hi.

In Japan, it is said that the origin of koinobori were the flags and streamers carried into battle by samurai warriors during medieval times. Initially, the design of the streamers flown during Boy’s Day weren’t based upon carp (which are known as koi in Japanese)—at first, the flags emulated the crests of various notable samurai families. However, because the carp had qualities admired by the warrior class, koinobori began to be raised during the holiday beginning in the Edo period (1600–1868) to symbolize parents’ wishes that their sons grow up with the attributes of the legendary golden carp. Today, during Kodomo-no-Hi, carp flags are proudly raised on tall poles in front of Japanese households with children in the hope that all of them—regardless of gender—will emulate the carp’s virtuous qualities of courage, perseverance and strength.

A typical, modern-day set of family koinobori consists of a multi-colored streamer called a fukinagashi on the top representing the tumultuous waters of the Yellow River. It is followed by a large black carp called a magoi representing the father of the family, a large red carp called the higoi representing the mother followed by a number of smaller carp (usually colored blue, yellow, green, or purple, and other hues) representing the children.

Koinobori are an inseparable part of Kodomo-no-Hi, even during the 21st century. However, the carp itself is still an important creature to modern Japanese society as well. Sayings such as “koi-no-takinobori” (which literally translates into “koi climbing a waterfall”) are equated to “succeeding vigorously in life.” And, if reading the above reminds anyone of a Pokémon named “Magikarp” (which can evolve into a river dragon with enough TLC), they would be right on target as it was also inspired by the same legend.

Gogatsu Ningyo

Like Hina Matsuri in March, which features special dolls called Hina Ningyo decorating the homes of families with daughters, Kodomo-no-Hi celebrations also feature a special doll. These dolls, often seen during the month of May are called Gogatsu Ningyo, or “May dolls.” Gogatsu Ningyo take many forms with the popular versions resembling Kintarō (Golden Boy), a legendary character from Japanese folklore, astride either a great brown bear, a golden carp or a white warhorse.

Many legends about this quasi-mythical figure dot both Japan’s history and its folktales. Many historic tomes say that Kintarō is based on an actual person named Sakatano-Kintoki, a faithful retainer of the 10th century warlord Minamoto-no-Yorimitsu (also known as Minamoto-noRaiko) who served the Emperor of Japan as a commander of a regiment.

While Sakata-no-Kintoki can be found in history books, most people in Japan associate the name Kintarō with a popular kid’s legend, a story that many heard as a bedtime story as a child. Long ago, in the capital city of Kyoto, there lived a brave samurai warrior named Kintoki. As many do, he fell in love with a beautiful lady and married her. However, not long after this joyous day, he fell into disgrace at court through the machinations of jealous rivals and was dismissed, taking his own life shortly after to pay for his shame. Fearing her husband’s enemies, Kintoki’s widow fled to the Ashigara Mountains, and there in the lonely forests, a little boy was born to her who she named Kintarō. The child was born with great strength, a gift of the gods, and he grew stronger by the year. It is said that by the time he was eight, he could cut down trees as quickly as the local woodcutters and often traveled with them to help fell trees.

Unlike other boys, Kintarō grew up in the mountain wilds without kids his own age to play with, so he became friends with all the animals and learned to communicate with them. One day, Kintarō went up into the mountains, followed by his friends the bear, the deer, the monkey and the hare. After some walking they reached a grassy plain— the perfect place for a sumo match. After much discussion, and a few preliminary tussles, it was decided that the two strongest would wrestle, Kintarō and the bear. After a titanic struggle, Kintarō threw the bear to the ground, victorious.

After a bit of rest, the animals headed down the mountains, taking a alternate route. And after walking a bit they found themselves on the banks of a river flowing through a valley. Although they looked for a shallow point to cross, there was none to be found. The animals began to fret as the afternoon light was beginning to wane. Kintarō suddenly perked up, struck by an idea. “I see a bridge!” Mystified, the animals cried that there was no bridge, only tall trees lining the river. The animals’ puzzlement soon turned to awe as Kintarō walked to the tallest tree and proceeded to rip it out of the ground with his bare hands. “There,” said Kintarō, “what do you think of my bridge? It is quite safe, so follow me," and he stepped across, followed closely by the four animals. While this was going on, an old man dressed as a woodcutter rubbed his eyes in amazement at the incredible feat of strength. He happened to be passing by on his way down the mountain with two other woodcutters. “Who is that amazing boy?!” he exclaimed. The other woodcutters replied, “that’s just Kintarō; he lives with his mom at the base of the mountain.”

After walking his friends to their respective lairs, Kintarō arrived home to the greetings of his mother as always. Days past as news of Kintarō’s amazing feats spread far and wide. One day, the man dressed as a woodcutter arrived at Kintarō’s home and revealed himself as Sadamitsu, a vassal of the powerful lord Minamoto-no-Raiko. “I have been under orders to travel the land in search of suitable candidates for samurai warriors; the disguise enables me to travel freely throughout the countryside, because my face is not unknown.” he said. “If you would like, I will take you to meet Lord Raiko.” Both mother and son were overjoyed and agreed.

Although Kintarō’s mother was extremely saddened to part with her only son, she hid her grief, because she knew that it was for the best. Kintarō promised that as soon as he was a true samurai he would build her a home and take care of her in her old age. Kintarō trained as a samurai and soon joined their ranks amazing all with his stupendous strength.

Kintarō rose to be one of the greatest heroes of his country, with great power, honor and wealth. He of course kept his promise and built a comfortable home for his mother, who lived happily with him in the capital to the end of her days. | OL