Children's Day (Japan)

Hello. My name is Kenji, and today is a very happy day. It is May 5th. In Japan, that means it is Children’s Day. Hooray. Look outside my window. Do you see the big, colorful fish swimming in the sky? They are not real fish. They are special flags called koinobori. They look like big, beautiful carp. Whoosh, whoosh, they dance in the wind. There is a big black carp for my daddy, a pretty red one for my mommy, and a little blue one for me. They fly high in the sky to show everyone that our family is happy and strong. It is my favorite part of Children’s Day.

Come inside my house. We have special things for Children's Day here, too. Look on our special shelf. It is a super cool helmet. It is a samurai helmet called a kabuto. It is shiny and strong with pointy parts that look very important. My family puts it out to wish for me to grow up strong and brave, just like a samurai warrior. I like to stand very still and look at it. It makes me feel brave inside. Now, can you smell something sweet? Mmm, mmm. My mommy is in the kitchen. She is making our special treats. They are called kashiwa-mochi. They are yummy, sticky rice cakes wrapped in big green oak leaves. The leaves make them smell so good. Eating the sweet, chewy mochi is the best part.

Children’s Day is a happy day for me, and it is a happy day for all the children in Japan. We fly our fish flags and eat our sweet treats to celebrate being kids. My mommy and daddy give me a big hug and say they hope I will always be healthy and happy. It is a day to wish for all children, everywhere, to grow up big and strong and full of joy. Happy Children's Day to everyone.