“Children’s Day,” known in Japanese as “Kodomo no hi” (子供の日) is a Japanese national holiday which takes place on May 5th, and is part of the longest Japanese holiday week called Golden Week. The Japanese celebrate holidays on April 29th, May 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th, making it possible to have a 10-day holiday week.
The purpose of Children’s Day, or Kodomo no hi, is a beautiful sentiment towards children. It is meant to celebrate and pray for children’s happiness & health, and to respect each of their personalities.
Kodomo No Hi History
The day was originally called “Tango no Sekku,” (端午の節句) or “Boy’s Festival,” and it was celebrated in order to wish healthy growth of the young boys/sons in the family and give thanks to their mothers. However, in 1948 the name changed to “Kodomo no hi” to celebrate all children.
The Koinobori’s or Carp Flags
Parents, do you have your carp flags out yet? Leading up to “Kodomo no hi”, starting even from a month prior, you will begin to see many carp flags known as “Koinobori” (鯉のぼり) flown at homes or usually over a body of water. In Japanese, “Koi” (鯉) means carp and “Nobori” (登り) means “to climb.” The origin of “Koinobori” comes from a folklore in ancient China. It is said that a carp was the only one that won a race up a waterfall among other fish and turned into a dragon. Combined with this story and the symbolism of success & strength, the carp was chosen as representation for this special holiday.
When you look at a set of flags carefully, you will also notice the size differences. A set of “Koinobori” represents a family unit… starting with the largest carp being the father (called “magoi” and usually in black), then the mother (called “higoi” and normally in red), and the child (blue representing a boy, called “kogoi”). Families with additional children or girls will also add on different colors to their Koinoboris, such as pink, green, orange, purple, etc..
It is said that “Kodomo no hi” and the flying of carp flags are for children up to 12 years of age, but it is entirely up to the parents and their children how long they want to continue to fly the flags.
Other Holidays During Golden Week
Although “Kodomo no hi” or Children’s day may be the most well-known holiday during Golden Week, it is important to take note of the others as well. April 29th is “Showa Day,” (Showa no hi/昭和の日) which is celebrated in memory of the Showa emperor who passed away in 1989, whose birthday was on April 29th.
Next up is May 3rd, which is “Constitution Day” or “Constitution Memorial Day (Kenpo kinen bi/憲法記念日).” It is designated as a national holiday because it was on this day in 1947 that the new postwar constitution was put into effect.
On May 4th is “Greenery Day” called “Midori no hi/みどりの日.” This day was formally on April 29th, the Showa emporer’s birthday, but they changed it in 2006. Former emperor Showa loved nature and plants, so this day is one way we remember and commemorate him. Japan also has a law that states that if a business day happens to be in between two holidays, then that day will become a holiday as well, so it worked out well for the people in the end!
Traveling During Kodomo No Hi
Golden Week is also one of the busiest times for travel, so many families will make plans and reservations months in advance. Airports, train stations, expressways, will all see traffic and congestion, as well as some businesses may hike up the prices during this time. Popular tourist destinations and theme parks will also see long lines and wait times, so it is important to be aware of these Japanese holidays so as not to get caught off guard!
With all these events going on it’s hard not to get excited for Golden Week. I hope this article gave you some helpful information on Children’s Day and Golden Week and that you’ll join in on the festivities. Now go hang those carp flags!
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Mari was born and raised as the youngest of four sisters in a small rice farming town in Shizuoka Prefecture in mainland Japan. With a Japanese father and an American mother, the household language was always bilingual. After she completed Kindergarten through 12th grade in Japanese schools, she went on to college in the U.S., 8,000 miles away from home. There she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Family Studies, and it was there where she met her future husband.
After graduating college, Mari worked as a counselor for at-risk youths in Pennsylvania until her husband-to-be received his first orders to Camp Lejeune, NC, which became their very first duty station, and where they were married. Since then, they have moved a number of times in their 21 years of marriage, gone through seven deployments, and had three beautiful daughters. During that time she had also completed her Master’s degree in Human Services Counseling with a concentration in military resiliency in 2022.
“Grow where you’ve been planted” has been Mari’s motto throughout the moves and changes in her family’s life. During the course of those years, she has enjoyed volunteering at churches, getting involved with local groups, was a Key Volunteer, earned a real estate license in NC, has been a freelance translator, served as a Family Readiness Advisor, and also as a cultural advisor in Okinawa, Japan.
After arriving in Okinawa in the summer of 2016, Mari’s focus quickly became that of community and cultural integration between Americans and local Japanese nationals. She was finally living back in the country she grew up in and wanted to put her bicultural and bilingual background to good use. Mari created a Facebook group called Okinawa Cafe Journal, intended for Okinawa visitors to get out and away from the bases, to go and explore local gems scattered around the island, and to get to know their local “neighbors.”
In the year 2017 – 2018 she was a board member of North Island Officers’ Spouses’ Club (N.I.O.S.C.), was nominated and selected as the 2018 Armed Forces Insurance Camp Courtney Military Spouse of the Year. She also received the President’s Volunteer Service Award Bronze in 2017. Mari was interviewed and featured in Legacy Magazine’s Spring 2018 issue for her work and influence in Okinawa, Japan. Mari was also a co-host of a monthly Japanese culture radio show on AFN and local radio shows at FM Uruma, FM Yanbaru, and FM Naha alongside then III MEF SgtMaj, SgtMaj Marquez (Ret) from 2017 – 2019. Military move took the Gregory family to Northern VA where her husband retired from the military and they currently live. In 2020, Mari became a recipient of one of ten Honoree’s for the 2020 Northern VA Heroes at Home Military Awards. She has also been involved with Marine Officer’s Spouses Club of Washington DC (MOSCDC) and has been a board member from 2020 – 2024.
Mari enjoys traveling, singing, playing tennis, spending time with family & friends, meeting new people, cooking, baking, cafe hopping, volunteering, and exploring the outdoors.
