Living with celebrations vol.2 Boys' Festival (2)

April 2, 2024

"A life of celebration"

Celebrating the seasons is about reaffirming the joy of growing as a person and expressing gratitude for being alive by <arranging your life, decorating for the season, and eating celebratory food>. Celebrating is a time to reassess your current environment and lifestyle, respect the seasons (nature), and renew the cycle. Why not celebrate with your family and feel the richness of spending time together at the turning point of the seasons?

Celebrate "Tango no Sekku" on May 5th

1. Cooking meals

The Boys' Festival and Girls' Festival are typical Japanese celebrations that are centered around food, so unlike Christmas or Halloween, I feel there is some room for people of all ages, from babies to seniors, to enjoy them together.

May 5th is such a seasonal turning point.
We want children who love to eat to continue to have an interest in food, knowing that "eating is fun." With that in mind, we have come up with a menu for today that children can enjoy together.

For the children's first cake making, my daughter was in charge of the topping.

As if he had been eagerly waiting for the question, "Will you do it?" he answered with a big smile, "I'd love to!"

My daughter just started first grade this year.

Unlike when they were in kindergarten, rather than decorating freely, when I show them how to do it they say "I see!" and work on it carefully and cautiously.

My innocent daughter loves fashion, chatting, and playing with dolls. She runs around the garden full of energy and dances lightly! Her expressions change rapidly and sparkle, and I have noticed so many things about myself living with my daughter .

2. Children's favorite menu items

I think many moms tend to avoid the brown dining table when it comes to their children's food preferences (I am one of them). However, today, with a fun, celebratory theme, I wanted to create a dining table filled with all the children's favorite foods.

The children were excited and interested in the cute cakes and carp streamer omelet rice. They were also very interested in the helmet spring rolls. It was nice to see such smiles.

In modern Japan, May 5th tends to be celebrated as Children's Day rather than as Boys' Day. This is a testament to the culture that has changed over the course of history.

What is "Tango no Sekku"?
　

"Tango no Sekku" is one of the five seasonal festivals. Seasonal festivals occur at the change of seasons, and it is said that if auspicious numbers overlap, it will bring about unlucky days and evil spirits. Since ancient times, it has been a custom to make offerings to the gods in prayer for good health.
"Tango" means the "horse day" at the beginning of the month, but because "go" and "five" are pronounced the same, May 5th became the "Tango no Sekku" and since the Nara period, May 5th has been established as the Tango no Sekku. In the Meiji period, the five seasonal festivals were abolished, and in 1948 May 5th was established as "Children's Day," making it a national holiday to wish happiness to children, regardless of gender, and to express gratitude to parents.

However, even today the Boys' Festival remains an annual event, firmly rooted in people's hearts, and in May people decorate carp streamers and helmets to celebrate and pray for the healthy growth of children.

Although the origins of "Tango no Sekku" and "Children's Day" are different, it would be a day to enjoy the wishes and traditions of the past, to be grateful for the growth of children so far, and to pray for their future growth and happiness.

"Tango no Sekku" - a day to pray for the healthy growth of boys

"Children's Day" is a day to respect the individuality of children, to celebrate their happiness, and to express gratitude to mothers .

Around the world, "Mother's Day" is designated as the second Sunday of May. And this year it was also listed as the second Sunday. In Japan, it seems that people honor their mothers for two consecutive weeks as a day to show their gratitude for their daily hardships.　

About the Boys' Festival▼

My children are still growing up and are running around full of energy today, and it seems like they are becoming more and more lively as they get older.

It looks like we will be able to have a special season this year as well.

▼Items featured in this article

Ai Haibara's May Doll "The Light of Shinju"

A one-of-a-kind photographer who captures the loveliness and atmosphere of "that moment" with exquisite essence. His mysteriously familiar expressiveness and nostalgic nuances are gentle and warm. Every time you look back at his photos, you will find them shining a spotlight on "life" and reminding you just how important "what is here and now" and "this moment" are, and gently teaching you methods for welcoming happiness into your daily life.