| Have you ever wondered about... |
Tango no Sekku? |
Source Information: http://mothra.rerf.or.jp/ENG/Hiroshima/Festivals/42.html
anecdotal
By Emy Murakawa
No one knows for sure how Boys' Day originated. However, it is believed to have had its origin in ancient rural China. Guards wore special helmets and had bows and arrows. The fifth day of the fifth month has long been an important day in the Japanese culture; irises were used to decorate roofs and houses and given as purifying gifts; in the Edo period (1603-1867) the sword-like iris leaves became part of a celebration for the sons of the household. On this day it is customary for families with sons to fly carp streamers (koi nobori) outside their houses, display warrior dolls inside, and eat chimaki (rice cakes wrapped in cogon grass or bamboo leaves) and kashiwamochi (rice cakes filled with sweet bean paste and wrapped in oak leaves).
In 1948, May 5th was designated a national holiday in Japan and renamed Children's Day (Kodomo no Hi), when the children are celebrated and prayers are said for their good health and prosperity. However, before 1948, Japanese families celebrated their sons on this day in a festival for boys corresponding to Hinamatsuri, the Doll Festival held for girls on March 3. Tango no Sekku, literally the "First Day of the Horse," is the Boys’ Day Festival. Can you imagine the protests here in the states if, for instance, Mother's Day was left as a holiday in honor of mothers, while Father's Day was changed to Parents' Day, to honor both fathers and mothers? No way, right? Yet, this is essentially what has happened to Boys’ Day. Although it was renamed "Children’s Day," the day is still observed by most families in the traditional way as a festival for boys.
The tradition of flying carp streamers also originates from the Edo period, when it became practice to present little boys with streamers depicting a carp. These streamers, made of paper or cloth, are still hoisted on tall bamboo or wooden poles erected in the yard or garden. When the wind catches them, they appear to be swimming in the air like real fish. Originally one carp was hoisted for each son, a very large one for the eldest, the others ranging down in size to a small one, if there is a baby boy in the house. Although several legends account for the choice |
Koi Nobori |
of the carp on the streamers, the most popular is based on the fact that this fish has the energy and power to fight its way up swift-running streams, cascades and waterfalls. Because of its strength and determination to overcome all obstacles, it is regarded as a fitting example for growing boys, typifying ambition, energy, strength, perseverance and the will to succeed. These qualities embody the fundamental idea of the festival: the encouragement of manliness, the overcoming of life’s difficulties, and consequent success.
Kabuto |
Warrior dolls, called musha-ningyo or gogatsu-ningyo, representing legends of Japanese heroism are also displayed, or the warrior's helmet (kabuto) or sword (katana) may be displayed. The sword is considered the “soul of the samurai.” With the rise of the warrior class in the 12th century, this festival became partly associated with a reverence for the martial arts. From that time on, it also became practice for little boys to be given kites decorated with pictures of warriors. |
Tango no Sekku occurs during Japan’s Golden Week. The Japanese Arbor Day is on April 29. In Iwakuni (Yamaguchi-ken, Japan where the Murakawa family’s roots are), April 29 is also the Kintai-Bashi Festival. Most of you have seen the Kintai-Bashi even if you may not have known its name – it is the bridge with five arches so often seen in photos and movies. May 3 is Constitution Day (the new national Constitution was established and enacted in 1947). May 3-5 is the Hiroshima Flower Festival Parade with music and floats at the Peace Park. Another festival that occurs during this week is a Kite Flying festival. Because of the number of festivals occurring during that week, it is a very difficult week to travel in Japan, and many businesses may even close. But it must also be a great time to travel in Japan to see the kites flying and the carp swimming in the air!
By Gail Sharp
April Photo
What can you tell us about this picture? Who are these people? What were they doing? What significance to our Community Center does the photo represent? Is this you? Is this your father, mother, brother, sister, or friend?
We invite you to contact us with the details and we’ll write 100 words (or maybe 10,000) in our featured corner article, Talk Story. Contact us via email with the subject "Talk Story" and the date of the article.
March Photo
1994 VJCC Summer Festival |
"I am pretty sure that the tall girl on the right is my elementary school friend, Stefanie Fujinami. Back then, she was part of the Venice Stingrays (I hope I'm correct...). The other two to her left look very familiar, but unfortunately, I don't remember their names. This is probably during our annual VJCC Festival. The photo was taken while they were dancing (or, it seems like it). I'm guessing this picture was taken sometime between 1993 and 1996, when we were still in middle school." - Caroline Ogasawara
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Hi Caroline! Thank you for your response to the March Talk Story photograph. The year the photograph was taken is 1994! Now, regarding the other young ladies in the photograph… I know that there are many people who know who they are. There are three sets of parents, at the very least. Please give me a call or send me an email and tell us what you remember about any or all of the girls and any other particulars of the Festival in 1994. |
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