Childrens Day The Japan Society with Katy Simpson

Children’s Day ©The Japan Society with Katy Simpson 1

Children’s Day The Children’s Day Festival is celebrated on May 5 th. On this day, families pray for the health and happiness of their children. It is called kodomo no hi in Japanese. ©The Japan Society with Katy Simpson 2

Children’s Day Watch the video to find out more ©The Japan Society with Katy Simpson 3

Customs Japanese warriors called samurai wore kabuto (helmet). The samurai were brave and strong so the kabuto helmet is a symbol of strength. On Children’s Day, children in Japan make paper kabuto helmets to wear. ©The Japan Society with Katy Simpson 4

Food Kashiwa Mochi is a traditional sweet eaten on Children’s Day It is chewy and made from rice with a sweet filling. The outside is wrapped in an oak leaf. ©Image is DSC_8749" by norihito (cropped) 5

Decorations In May, Japan is decorated with many streamers or kites in the shape of koi carp fish. These are called koi nobori. The carp fish represents strength. So, the carp are used as symbols for children to grow up strong. ©The Japan Society with Katy Simpson 6

© 663 highland / CC BY-SA 3. 0 Black for the father Red for the mother Blue for the child Traditionally, koi nobori are decorated in a different colour for the family member it represents and displayed in this order. ©Image is 663 highland under CC BY-SA 3. 0 7

Power Up The Japanese word for strength is ‘chikara’ The koi fish is ‘chikara tsuyoi’ which means powerful. This is the Japanese symbol for chikara 力 ©The Japan Society with Katy Simpson 8

Power Up Can you draw the Japanese character for strength? You can draw it in the air with your finger if you like! ©The Japan Society with Katy Simpson 9

Design your Koi Nobori Hang your koi nobori up for display. Try putting them in the traditional order you would see in Japan or another way. ©The Japan Society with Katy Simpson 10

Extension Activity Label your koi nobori with the Japanese words for colours and family members くろ kuro black おとうさん otōsan father あか aka red おかあさん okāsan mother あお ao blue こども kodomo child ©The Japan Society with Katy Simpson 11

Extension Activity Make your own origami kabuto helmet. Watch the video. ©The Japan Society with Katy Simpson 12

The activities in this resource were developed by the Japan Society in collaboration with Katy Simpson. The Japan Society 13/14 Cornwall Terrace, London NW 1 4 QP Tel: 020 7935 0475 Email: education@japansociety. org. uk www. japansociety. org. uk Follow us on: @japansocietylon ©The Japan Society with Katy Simpson @Japan. Society. London 13