What are the five seasonal festivals? The origin of the Peach Festival

In our daily lives, there are traditional events called "sekku" that occur every season.
One of these is the Girls' Festival, which is held to pray for the healthy growth of girls.

■ "Sekku" is a custom that values ​​the change of seasons

"Sekku" refers to seasonal turning points.
In the past, people believed that evil spirits were more likely to enter the country during the change of seasons, so they performed rituals to purify themselves and ward off disasters.

For example, there are customs such as "misogi", the purification of the body with water, and "harai", a ritual to ward off illness or misfortune.
These customs have been shaped over a long period of time, influenced by ancient Japanese beliefs as well as imperial court ceremonies introduced from China.

■ The encounter between the Japanese "Misogiharai" and the Chinese "Jōshi Festival"

The origin of the Girls' Festival is deeply connected to the Joshi Festival, which was introduced from China.
This event involves purifying oneself in the river at the beginning of March and holding a banquet to ward off misfortune, and is based on the idea of ​​using the power of nature to exorcise evil spirits.

When this custom was introduced to Japan, it became associated with the ancient Japanese practice of "misogiharai" (purification rituals) and the custom of transferring impurities onto paper dolls called "hitogata" and then letting them float down a river.

During the Heian period, a ceremony began to be held within the Imperial Court in which a priest would be invited to transfer evil spirits to a doll, which would then be released down the river along with offerings.
This tradition was later passed down as "Nagashibina" and became the prototype of the modern-day Hinamatsuri.

■ "Peach Festival" as one of the five seasonal festivals

In Japan, five particularly important seasonal events are called the "Gosekku."

• January 7th: Jinjitsu Festival (Seven Herbs Festival)

• March 3: Jōshi no Sekku (Girls' Festival)

• May 5th: Boys' Festival

• July 7: Tanabata Festival

• September 9th: Double Ninth Festival
  
  
  

Among these, the Peach Festival is an event that symbolizes the arrival of spring and the budding of life and purity.
In the past, it was a ritual held at the Imperial Court, but it spread among the common people as an event to make wishes for the beginning of life , and now it has become a familiar family event to pray for the healthy growth of girls. Among the five seasonal festivals, the ones that have been established as "family events" in particular are the "Peach Festival" and the "Tango Festival."

For more information on the five seasonal festivals, please see here. ▶▶

■ A gentle milestone that expresses the family's wishes

Along with the Boys' Festival for boys, the Girls' Festival has been passed down through families as an important milestone to pray for the growth of children.
While feeling the change of seasons, the whole family can make wishes.

This gentle custom remains unchanged to this day, gently embracing the culture of our lives.