Today was Children's Day in Japan. Children's Day is traditionally known as Boys' Day. The celebration of Boys' Day dates back to sometime between 593 and 628 AD. In 1948, Japan's government declared May 5 a national holiday to celebrate the happiness of all children and to express gratitude toward mothers, thus Children's Day was officially born.
Families raise carp-shaped koinobori flags (carp because of the Chinese legend that a carp that swims upstream becomes a dragon, and the way the flags blow in the wind looks like they are swimming), one for each child. We have been flying our flags all week.
We celebrated Children's Day with good, hard play outside.
Happy Children's Day!! Oh, and Happy Cinco de Mayo!!
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