"Life with Celebrations"
Seasonal celebrations are about expressing the joy of human growth and gratitude for life by . Through celebrations, we re-evaluate and organize our current environment and daily life, honoring the seasons (nature) as a time for renewal. At each turning point of the seasons, why not experience the richness of celebrating with your family?
1. Preparing meals
Unlike Christmas or Halloween, seasonal celebrations like Tango no Sekku (Boy's Day) and Momo no Sekku (Girl's Day) are , which is very Japanese. This gives them a "blank space" where everyone, from babies to seniors, can enjoy together regardless of age.
May 5th is such a seasonal milestone.
For children who love to eat, I want them to always find "eating enjoyable" and to remain interested in "food." With that in mind, today I've thought of a menu that everyone, especially children, can enjoy together.
For my daughter's first cake-making experience, she was in charge of the toppings.
As if eagerly awaiting the question, "Would you like to do it?", she replied with a beaming smile, "Yes, I want to!"
My daughter just started first grade this year.
Unlike kindergarten, instead of decorating freely, when I teach her "This is how you do it," she says "I see!" and works carefully and meticulously.
My innocent and cheerful daughter loves fashion, chatting, and playing with dolls. She also runs around the garden with full energy and dances lightly! Her rapidly changing expressions are sparkling, and I truly learn so much from living with her.
2. Children's Favorite Dishes
Many mothers try to avoid dull-colored meals when it comes to their children's food preferences,(I am one of them, by the way.) But today, with the theme of a fun celebration, I wanted to fill the table with only things the children love.
The children are excited and thrilled by the cute cake, Koinobori Omelet Rice, and Kabuto Spring Rolls. I'm happy to see their smiles.
In modern Japan, May 5th tends to be celebrated more as Children's Day than as Tango no Sekku. This is probably a tune of culture that has changed with history.
What is "Tango no Sekku"?
"Tango no Sekku" is one of the five seasonal festivals. These festivals exist at the turn of the seasons, and since auspicious numbers overlapping were considered inauspicious days or days when evil spirits were likely to approach, there was a long-standing custom of making offerings to the gods to pray for good health. "Tango" means the "Uma (horse) Day" at the beginning of the month, but because "Uma" and "Go" (five) have the same reading, May 5th became "Tango no Sekku," and it became established as such after the Nara period.In the Meiji era, the five seasonal festivals were abolished, andin 1948, May 5th was established as "Children's Day," making it a national holiday to wish for the happiness of children, regardless of gender, and to express gratitude to parents.
However, even today, "Tango no Sekku" is deeply rooted in people's hearts as an annual event, and in May, carp streamers and helmets are displayed, and celebrations are held to pray for healthy growth.
Although the origins of "Tango no Sekku" and "Children's Day" are different, we want to make it a day to appreciate the children's growth so far and wish for their future growth and happiness, while enjoying the ancient wishes and traditions.
"Tango no Sekku" ・・・・A day to pray for the healthy growth of boys
"Children's Day" is considered a day to respect children's personalities, promote their happiness, and show gratitude to mothers.
Around the world, "Mother's Day" is established as the second Sunday in May.And this year, it was also listed as the second Sunday. In Japan, it seems mothers are respected for two consecutive weeks as "a day to honor and express gratitude for their daily efforts."
My growing children are still running around full of energy today, and it seems our home gets livelier with each passing year.
It looks like we'll have another special season this year.
A unique photographer who captures the loveliness and atmosphere of "that moment" with exquisite essence. The expressions feel surprisingly intimate, and the nostalgic nuances are endlessly gentle and warm. Each time I look back at the photos, I am reminded of how precious "what we have now" and "this very moment" are, and I find pictures that gently teach me methods for happily embracing daily life by putting a spotlight on it.
＠chihi_film
