Japanese Holidays - Children's Day (Kodomo no hi)

On May 5, the people of Japan celebrate a wonderful holiday - Children's Day in Japan, because, as everyone well knows, they are our future. The significance of this event for the Japanese is evidenced by the fact that in 1948 the holiday received national status. The history of Children's Day goes back to the distant Middle Ages, then it was called Boys' Day (or in Japanese Tango no sekku, which translated means the celebration of the first day of the horse). This is all no coincidence, since it is the horse that has such qualities as courage, endurance and courage, and this is exactly what a boy should be in order to become a worthy warrior in the future, who is always ready to defend his homeland. During the Heian Dynasty, it was customary to organize military sports competitions on Boys' Day. Young men from the age of 15 took part in them. They competed in archery, fought with swords, and there was always sumo wrestling. Thus, the emperor tried to cultivate a real samurai spirit among the younger generation of Japan. Today, on Children's Day, it is customary to hang an image of a carp near houses, since this fish is incredibly resilient. It is able to live in fresh water and even in swampy areas. Thus, the Japanese express their wishes that their boys in the future grow up to be real and strong men, ready to overcome all difficulties. By the way, the length of the carp directly depends on the age of the boy: the longer the fish, the older the child. In addition, for this holiday, special, ritual food is necessarily prepared, which includes rice (koloboks, flatbreads), which, as residents of Japan believe, will help their sons always remain healthy. In the evening, everyone gathers to listen to stories about the heroes of Japan. Thus, although Children's Day is celebrated in the Land of the Rising Sun, clear preference is still given to boys.