Children’s Day

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Children’s Day
The Children’s Day Festival is
celebrated on May 5th.

On this day, families pray for the

health and happiness of their children.

It is called kodomo no hi
in Japanese.

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Children’s Day
Watch the video to find out more

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 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.

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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.

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 © 663highland / 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 663highland under CC BY-SA 3.0

7
Power Up

力
The Japanese word for strength is
‘chikara’

The koi fish is ‘chikara tsuyoi’

which means powerful.

This is the Japanese symbol for

chikara

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Power Up
Can you draw the Japanese character for strength?
You can draw it in the air with your finger if you like!

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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.

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

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©The Japan Society with Katy Simpson
Extension Activity

Make your own

origami kabuto helmet.

Watch the video.

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©The Japan Society with Katy Simpson
The activities in this resource were developed by the Japan
Society in collaboration with Katy Simpson.

The Japan Society

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Tel: 020 7935 0475
Email: education@japansociety.org.uk

www.japansociety.org.uk

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