Tangonosekku
(The Boys Festival)
According to the Japanese history,
on the fifth of May had been celebrated as the time for boys to
become men. Families put out Japanese warrior armor to show that
they want their boys to become a warrior. Currently, this is the
day to pray for the health and happiness of the children. The
families with boys put large carp streamers on sticks to fly
about the wind. The carps are called Koinobori.
The families also put out Mushaningyo (dolls
that are placed on display) covered in armor (Yoroikabuto).
Also, the boys and girls eat Chimaki, a package of rice wrapped up in a leaf. The leaf then keeps the rice fresh. Later in the day, the families take baths with Shobu leaves in the water. Shobu leaves are a type of iris leaves and are supposed to make the bath smell good.
Sean O.
May, 2000