KODOMO-NO-HI
(CHILDREN'S DAY)
Children's Day on May 5 also known as "Boy's Festival," is held to pray for the health and success of male children. On this day, households with young boys hang out koinobori (carp streamers) and decorate their homes with "May dolls."
Koinobori (Carp
Streamers)
In Japan, the carp has a reputation as a fish with a tremendous
will to live, capable of swimming up and over fierce flowing
waterfalls.
Gogatsu-ningyo
(May Dolls)
Also known as Musha (samurai) dolls these dolls are attired
in traditional military armor, and incorporate the wish that
the boys grow up to be as strong as samurai warriors.
"Golden Week"
With three national holidays falling close together on the calendar
(The Greenery Day on April 29, Constitution Day on May 3 and
Children's Day on May 5), this period is known as "Golden
Week" and is utilized as a major spring vacation season
in Japan.