"Tango no sekku" (the Boys' Festival)

Tango no sekku is a traditional Japanese event observed on May 5th as a celebration for boys' talisman and health. Families including boys observe it, displaying yoroikabuto (an armor), gogatsuninngyou (dolls for the Boys' Festival), or koinobori (carp-shaped streamers). Although this tradition has continued to this day, after World War May 5th started to be called "children's day". It is observed as a holiday recognizing children's (boys and girls) happiness.

Tango no sekku was originally a custom brought from ancient China. In China, May has long been regarded as a month of evil spirits. So events for driving them away were widespread in May. At first, this special day was not always on May 5th, but eventually it settled on the day. As for Japan, during the Nara period (710-794) five seasonal events (jinjitsu, joushi, tanogo, tanabata, chouyou) were introduced. At that time, the five seasonal events were observed by aristocrats as important events to ward off one's own sins during the turning point of each season. And then, they spread to the samurai (warrior) families. During the Edo period, since the feudal government designated May 5th as an important day, it also became popular among common people, and it came to be observed widely in Japan.

By the way, carp-shaped streamers, armors, dolls for the Boys', festival and other items of the day have meanings respectively. Carp-shaped streamers derived from an ancient Chinese legend that carps go up a waterfall. It is a story that suggests a carp which reaches the top of the Koga (a river in China which has a strong current) can get the power of spirits and become a dragon. That is to say, carps have been regarded as a symbol of success. That was why carp-shaped streamers were displayed widely from the Edo period on. Then, musyaningyou(warrior dolls), representing historical brave figures including Yoshitune and Benkei, and a God named Shouki, who was believed to protect people from plagues, became widespread. Since then, indoor ornaments became the mainstream. After the war, armors were mainly displayed. Armors have long been believed as a symbol for protecting life, so they have been displayed to protect boys from accidents or disaster. In addition, as a Japanese custom on this day, people eat kashiwamochi (Japanese sweets wrapped in oak leaves). Old oak leaves never fall until new sprouts appear, so oak is believed to be an auspicious tree which never dies out. And chimaki (seasoned sticky rice balls wrapped in bamboo leaves) were brought to Japan along with tango no sekku. It is said that people eat it as away to wish for good health because bamboo leaves have rich medical power. Moreover, Japanese people have a custom of taking a bath with shoubu (calami) floating on the water, because shoubu is a homophone with a word meaning a bout, so people pray for their boys' strength through this custom.

These days, reflecting Japanese housing conditions, carp-shaped streamers and armors are getting smaller. In addition, lovable dolls for the Boys' Festival also became popular. At the very least, understanding the meaning of tango no sekku as a talisman and a prayer for boys' health, ensures a joyous celebration in which children are pleased in every family. (end)