Children's Day May 5th - For Boys? or Both?

In Japan Children's Day celebrated on May 5th is a celebration not only for children but also for a meaningful day for mothers.   Since 1948 the Japanese Government dedicated May 5th as a national holiday - a day to celebrate children - to appreciate the well being of children and a greetings for the children with appreciation to their mothers.   However, the Japanese people in general follow international calendar (May 10th) when celebrating Mother's Day.

The celeberation of Children's Day has been around in Japan since early 1900, during the Taisei Period (1912).  In the past Children's Day was mainly a celebration for the boys - originally it was a celebration to wish health for boys. Meanwhile, girls has their during the Hinamatsuri Festival.   However since the Hinamatsuri Day on March 3rd was not announced as a national holiday, while May 5th was dedicated as a national holiday, at some point in time people started to argue that there was a discrimination between boys and girls.    In the last few decades, the culture of celebrating only boys on May 5th has gradually changed.   Practically boys and girls enjoy May 5th the same way at home and anywhere else, such as they can both get into the national zoo, national museum and other public facilities for free on that day.

The most common way of celebrating children's day are to place a decoration called "Koi-nobori".   In the past families with boys put up "Koi-nobori" or carp streamers, in their garden and a display of dolls called gogatsu ningyo (the same way families of girls display Hina dolls during Hinamatsuri Festival) in a room of the house.   Nowadays, families with children put up "koi-nobori" regardless of their children's gender.  The meaning of "koi-nobori" display " the carp appear to be swimming vigorously against the current" is to symbolize how boys should face and overcome their difficulties with the same positive spirit.   

Gogatsu ningyo or dolls for boys celebration usually contains a set of samurai armour, a kabuto (samurai's helmet), a taiko (big drum) and other things needed to fight an old style battle.  This decoration also symbolizes that boys should be strong to face any difficulties with the necessary equipments.   Families with girls do not display gogatsu ningyo, instead they put up "koi-nobori" which has similar meanings.

For the first time ever, on May 4th 2009 (US Time) US Secretary of State made a statement on Japanese Children's Day, May 5th.

It is my pleasure to offer warm wishes to boys and girls in Japan on the May 5 occasion of Children’s Day. On this holiday, Japanese families celebrate the joys of childhood and family life. Children are, indeed, a national treasure, and both the United States and Japan share a strong commitment to childhood health, safety, and education. It is a responsibility for all of us to work together to ensure the protection of children. It is our hope that one day children from all countries will be able to celebrate the carefree joys that children in Japan celebrate today.