Children's Day Event
Children's day event will be held on 3rd May 2025 (Sat), 11am to 4pm at JCKL clubhouse.
We will post the details on this page once programs are conformed.
What is Children's Day?
According to the Japanese Law Concerning National Holidays (Law No. 178 of 1948), Children's Day falls on 5th May. It is a national holiday enacted from 1948 to wish happiness for children, to respect their personality, and to appreciate their mothers.
Is it a day to celebrate the healthy growth of boys?
"Tango no sekku" is an event that has continued since the Nara period, wishing for the healthy growth of boys. Children's Day and "Tango no sekku" are often confused because of the same date, but they are different and there is no distinction between boys and girls on Children's Day. Also known as Children's Day celebration is the celebration of "Tango no sekku".
How to celebrate "Tango no sekku"?
- Decorate Koinobori (Carp Streamers)
Koinobori is decorated in the hope of the healthy growth of children. It is a custom that began in the Edo period. Originally, it seems that the samurai started by decorating the entrance with banners and flags.
After that, many people also imitate it. They decorate the five-coloured streamers and carpe shaped streamers. It is believed that carps are symbol of success and healthy growth since carps are the known as the rising fish and chinese story said that "the carp that climbed the waterfall becomes a dragon"
- Decorate Gogatsu-ningyo (Warrior dolls)
We will decorate Gogatsu-ningyo in the hope of the strong growth of the children. Models of Gogatsu-ningyo are Kintaro, Ushiwakamaru, Benkei, and Shoki.
It is said that the Samurai helmets and armor are decorated if they were born in the samurai society of the Kamakura period. At that time, weapons such as helmets and armor were important tools for protecting oneself, and there was a tradition of dedicating them to shrines to pray for safety. Therefore, we are decorating helmets and armor to pray for a healthy life.
- The sweet flag bath
It is a custom from ancient China to use sweet flags. We hang it on the roof to protect it from evil.
It is also said that if you take a sweet flag bath, you can survive the hot summer in good health.
- Eat Kashiwa mochi / Chimaki
There is a custom to eat Kashiwa mochi in the Kanto region and Chimaki in the Kansai region.
Kashiwa mochi
It is believed that Kashiwa-mochi is a symbol of "continuous family lineage" and "prosperity of descendants” because oak leaves don’t fall off from the tree until new sprouts come out in spring. It represents continuous cycle of life.
Chimaki
Chimaki has been introduced from China during the Heian period. Originally, we used the leaf called "Chigaya", which is thought to dispel evil spirits, but nowadays bamboo leaves are commonly used.
Program
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※Avoid parking hassles! Carpooling or taking public transportation on this day is very much appreciated.
※Programmes are subject to change without prior notice.
※JCKL will not be held responsible for any injuries or sicknesses that might occur during the event.
※Please register your child so that she/he can join our activities.
