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Good afternoon. I am Yosuke Kawana, Vice Consul of the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco and in charge of cultural affairs.  Today, I want to briefly explain what Children's Day is and how we celebrate it in Japan.  I am planning to have a short lecture with a brief slide show and video to follow.  I would also like to save a few minutes at the end of my presentation for Q & A.  I hope you all enjoy my presentation and that it will deepen your understating of one of Japan's unique annual cultural events.

In Japan, May 5th is the holiday called Kodomo no hi (Japanese) or Children's Day, when families celebrate the healthy growth and happiness of children.  It became a national holiday in 1948 but it has been a day of celebration since ancient times.

Historically, the fifth day of the fifth month (May 5) was traditionally called Tango no Sekku (Boy's Day).  It was an occasion to express thanks for the healthy growth of boys and pray so as to make them safe from sickness and evil influence.  By the way, girls have their own festival called Hina Matsuri (Doll Festival) held on the third day of the third month (March 3).

The origin of Children's Day is not definitely known although it might be traced to ancient agricultural traditions.  As early May was the time of year when insects began to appear to harm the plants, farmers would do everything they could to drive them away by placing bright banners and grotesque figures in their fields.  Eventually these figures came to represent warriors and with the ascendancy of the military class in the Middle Ages, these dolls gradually became associated with the Boy's Day Festival.

On Children's Day, families with boys fly huge carp-shaped streamers, koinobori.  Huge paper or cloth carps are displayed atop tall poles in the garden.  A carp streamer was hoisted originally for each son, a very large one for the eldest, the others ranging down to a small one if there is a baby boy in the house.  Several legends account for the choice of the carp, the most popular being based on the fact that this fish has the energy and power to fight its way up swift-running streams, cascades and waterfalls.  Because of its strength and its determination to overcome all obstacles, its is held to be a fitting example for growing boys, typifying ambition, energy, strength, perseverance and the will to overcome all obstacles.

Another feature of Children's Day in many homes is the erection of a stand similar to that used at the Doll Festival and on it are displayed famous feudal warriors and other paraphernalia such as armor, swords and helmets called yoroi kabuto.  Yoroi means suit of armor and kabuto means helmet.  As with the carp streamers, these warrior dolls and suits of armor were displayed to instill boys with the manly virtues of a warrior.  In addition, it is believe that yoroi kabuto drives away evil spirits from children.

Also on Children's Day, kashiwa-mochi (rice cakes filled with an [sweet bean paste]) are wrapped up in oak leaves and are distributed among neighbors and friends.  In olden times boys were given shobu-yu, or a bath with sweet Iris leaves.  The leaves were believed to have the charm to expel sickness and evil spirits.

Nowadays many events highlighting Children's Day are held throughout the country on May 5th.  One interesting event I found by chance while watching NHK news.  It was a news clip of people trying to hoist the biggest Koinobori in the world.  It was over 333 feet long!  I want to show this clip now although I am sorry to say it in Japanese.

This is my short presentation about Children's Day.  Thank you for listening.  Now, if you have any questions, I will try to answer them.