The Hatsu-Sekku celebration refers to the first seasonal festival that occurs once in a lifetime.
It is a traditional event and ceremony, like "Omiyamairi" (a shrine visit) and "Okuizome" (first meal). The family gathers around a celebratory meal to express gratitude for the baby's birth and their hopes for its healthy growth.
As the name "seasonal festivals" suggests, they are a time when seasonal changes occur, and it has been said since ancient times that various epidemics and disasters occur along with the change of seasons. Even today, people are prone to falling ill during seasonal changes, so babies in particular need to be careful.
It is said that at such times, rejoicing and celebrating the growth will ward off evil spirits, and for our family, too, this is an opportunity and a good time to rejoice in the growth and start anew the next season of life.
Especially in the early years, the feeling of growing up as the family grows together with the child is truly special. It is different from Christmas. It is different from birthdays, and it is a culture of praying for the growth and happiness of children at the turning point of the season. It is a form of celebration unique to Japan.
For many families, the Hatsu Sekku is their first festival, so they want to celebrate it properly.
Girls born in January or February and boys born in March or April will celebrate the seasonal festival soon after they are born.
In such cases, "celebratory events" take place one after the other, which can be a burden on the newborn baby and his mother.
Unlike other celebratory events, the Children's Day festival is unique in that there is no set guideline for the number of days after birth on which it should be celebrated.
If the first seasonal festival comes before the shrine visit, many children will celebrate their first seasonal festival after they turn one year old. It is a good idea to decide whether to hold the first seasonal festival this year or next year based on whether the baby's first ritual, the shrine visit, has already been completed.
Celebrating the first festival in a year that suits your family will make it an irreplaceable memory and a wonderful celebration that deepens the bonds between family members.
Also, depending on the region, cultures and ways of celebrating vary, such as celebrating according to the lunar calendar, and while there are regions where old customs are respected, modern customs have changed and traditional events that respect the physical condition and feelings of family members have become mainstream. It is a good idea to discuss this with your family.
