Children's Day, Japan
Children's Day (Kodomo no hi) is celebrated on 5th
May in Japan. It is a national holiday on which all children are
celebrated and their mothers are honoured.
Children's Day Traditions
Until recently, 5th May was known as Boy's Day (Tango
no Sekku, or the Feast of Banners), so many of the traditional
celebrations on Children's Day come from Boy's Day.
Carp Kites (koinobori)
Families with boys hang colorful carp kites, called
Koinobori, outside their houses - one for each boy, with the biggest
representing the oldest boy at the top. The kites flutter in the wind
and look beautiful, as you can see in the photo above! In Japanese
culture, the carp (or koi) represents courage and perseverance, as the
fish is known for its strength and determination as it swims against the
current upstream. The carp kite symbolises each family's wish for their
sons to grow up brave and strong.
Print out our
Children's Day stationery - blue
Print out our
Children's Day stationery - pink
Golden Boy Doll (Kintaro)
Families with boys display a model of Kintaro, a Japanese folk hero.
Kintaro was a boy of superhuman strength who grew up to be a famous
warrior, and again he represents the wish of the family for their boys
to be brave and strong.
Read more about the legend of Kintaro
http://www2c.airnet.ne.jp/toyo/legend.html
Samurai Helmet
The Samurai were the most noble warriors of Japan, and the Samurai
Helmet which they wore also
symbolizes strength and courage and is often worn by boys on Children's
Day.
Here is a Samurai warrior from the 19th Century in full armour!
Make your own Samurai
helmet and Samurai sword!
Make your own origami Samurai
helmet-
More Ideas for Children's Day
Expand your knowledge of Japan and Japanese culture by visiting our "Japan
for Kids" theme, and try your hand at some more Japanese related
crafts, play some traditional Japanese games, and enjoy our coloring
pages and printables.
Japan for Kids
Lots NEW!
Visit our origami section for traditional Japanese origami models (and
lots of new origami designs,
perfect for kids, too).
Origami for Kids
Try some of our Traditional Japanese
games NEW!
Learn about a little girl called Sadako Sasashi, and discover how she
inspired this beautiful monument to world peace, the Children's Peace
Monument, nearly 50 years ago. The monument was unveiled on Children's
Day 1948 and is visited by thousands of children each year.
Learn about Sadako Sasashi
Favourite!
More About Children's Day From Around The Web
Make
Here is a carp kite made with wrapping paper and other craft cupboard supplies
http://www.makingfriends.com/biblecrafts/fish_kite.htm
Make a real carp kite with tissue paper
http://www.recreate.com/Pages/articles/abraman.shtml
Make a fabric koinobori
http://pbskids.org/zoom/activities/do/koinobori.html
Print
Print these Japan themed bookmarks
http://www.abcteach.com/japan/bookmarks.htm
Very decorative Samurai helmet clipart or printable
http://www.sakunet.ne.jp/~hayaka1/kousaku36.html
Print and Make
Print and make a Kimono doll bookmark NEW!
http://www.crayola.com/free-coloring-pages/print/kimono-doll-bookmark/
Koinobori printable craft - cut and fold
http://www.sakunet.ne.jp/~hayaka1/kousaku37.html
Print and make a greeting card for Children’s Day
http://abcteach.com/japan/card.htm
Print and make some Japanese ‘friends’
http://www.makingfriends.com/friends/f+japan.htm
Print and make a paper traditional warrior (not suitable for young children)
http://www.yamaha-motor.co.jp/global/entertainment/papercraft/seasons/05/index.html
Do
A Japan word search puzzle
http://www.teach-nology.com/worksheets/country/japan/search/
Another Japan word search
http://www.abcteach.com/japan/wordsearch1.htm
Learn
Excellent unit discussing Children’s Day and Japanese culture
http://www.csupomona.edu/~tassi/children.htm
Write a Japan acrostic poem
http://www.teach-nology.com/worksheets/country/japan/poem/
Try this Japanese vocabulary quiz
http://www.teach-nology.com/worksheets/country/japan/quiz/
Use this planning sheet to plan your own classroom celebration for Children’s
Day
http://www.abcteach.com/japan/childrensday.htm
Enjoy
Some traditional Japanese folk tales to read NEW!
http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/japan.html
Wonderful photos of Koinobori (carp banners/flags)http://www.ginkoya.com/pages/koinobori.html
Enjoy this fun booklet containing recipes, crafts and music
http://www.girlscout.or.jp/english/letstry.pdf
Color
Children’s Day (Boy’s Day) coloring page – a boy with an origami samurai helmet
sitting on a kite
http://nurie.ciao.jp/181/203.pdf
Children’s Day (Boy’s Day) coloring page – boy with origami samurai helmet
http://nurie.ciao.jp/181/202.pdf
A picture of flying carp kites to color
http://www.abcteach.com/japan/carpkite.htm
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