Children's Day in Japan
Description:
The origins of the holiday date back to the first centuries of our era, when it was a ritual action associated with the onset of spring, the beginning of field work, a request for the welfare of the community. In this holiday there was worship of the spirits of plants, grasses and trees, which was associated with the prayer for health, the granting of male vitality, the prosperity of the family. This ancient rite had the character of a festive ceremony and was one of the rituals of the imperial court, where the main role was assigned to the emperor himself, who collected medicinal herbs together with the court. Peasants these days displayed bright flags and bogeys in various costumes to protect against insects during flowering. Gradually, these figures began to be made more skillfully, especially those depicting warriors, and then, over time, flags and scarecrows in the fields began to be perceived as amulets not only of the future harvest, but also of children. Now they were not put in the fields, but kept at home.
In the Heian era, tango-no sekku acquires the character of a military-sports holiday, during which military prowess was demonstrated - archery competitions, sumo wrestling, sword fighting, horse racing were organized. The rulers of the country used an ancient custom to educate the younger generation of the samurai spirit.
During the Edo period, the holiday became more magnificent and solemn, it began to be celebrated in all layers of society. The houses held exhibitions and exhibited miniature armor and figures of warriors in rich clothes. In samurai society, military armor and helmet were considered very important attributes for men, because they protected the body of a warrior during battles. Military armor, in which the doll is dressed, personifies the protection of the boy from troubles, happiness in life and marriage, assistance in difficult life situations. All dolls have their own face and character, each associated with a story, sometimes heroic, and sometimes humorous.
In the countryside, there was a rite to exhibit on this day in front of houses pre-cut tall trees or poles with cryptomeria branches attached to their tops and a pennant (nobori) with shoki painted on it - a mythical spirit that casts out the devil and cures diseases. This was done as an invitation to the feast of the deity, who was believed to descend from the sky through tall trees or poles during the prayer for a good harvest in the 5th month.
Currently, it is a widespread custom to hang images of carp – koi-nobori fluttering in the wind on the Boys’ Festival. Carp is considered a very resilient fish that can live not only in clean fresh water, but also in the pond, and in swampy terrain. Chinese legend says that when the carp climbed the river against a strong current and overcame the waterfall, which was called the “dragon whirlpool”, he turned into a dragon and ascended to the sky. Therefore, "koi-nobori" symbolizes the wish for boys to grow into beautiful men and easily overcome all difficulties. The length of the carp depends on the age of the children, the largest symbolizes the head of the family.
It is believed that this custom arose among the citizens who did not have the right on this day to exhibit spears, halberds, banners, etc. in front of houses, as the military class did. Instead, they began to hang carp, which served as an example of perseverance, courage, perseverance in achieving the goal. At the birth of a boy, there is also a custom to put a pole with paper or cloth figures of carp, which personifies an appeal to the heavenly god with a request to protect the child.
These days, special food is prepared in the houses: rice kolobkas wrapped in leaves of iris or bamboo - timaki, rice wrapped in oak leaves - kasiva-moti and rice cooked with red beans - sekihan. A set of such ritual food, each dish of which includes rice, was a magical means of ensuring the health of children and procreation.
In the evenings, the boys and their parents gather at the stand to examine the dolls, hold a helmet, armor, listen to the story of each character. Introducing children to the mythology of gods and heroes, parents influenced the character of boys, passed on from generation to generation the traditions of the Japanese army. Thus, this holiday has remained unchanged almost to this day. Although it is now celebrated as Children’s Day, boys are preferred.