Children’s Day is a Japanese holiday that celebrates the happiness of children.
The day also honors parenthood.
Known in Japan as Kodomo no Hi, Children’s Day is a festive holiday that is oriented around games and fun traditions.
The holiday is celebrated on May 5 each year.
Children’s Day is part of Golden Week, so many Japanese people celebrate the holiday while they are on vacation.
Children’s Day celebrations can be traced back to Ancient Japan.
Originally, Children’s Day was celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month.
Following the adoption of the Gregorian calendar from the West, the Children’s Day was placed on May 5.
Prior to the 20th century, Children’s Day was referred to as Tango no Sekko, or the Feast of Banners.
Tango no Sekko was a holiday that only celebrated boyhood.
In 1948, Children’s Day became a public holiday in Japan.
The name of the holiday was changed to Kodomo no Hi.
The new Kodomo no Hi holiday celebrated the happiness of both boys and girls.
