Children festivals in Japan:

Japan is one of the most cultural countries around the world. Japanese traditions are known for being very representative of the country. Their culture, customs and traditions are just unique. Festivals are everywhere in Japan and are celebrated all along the year and in every corner of the country: from snow celebration in the north (Samporo Yuki-matsuri) to spring festival of the cherry trees (Hanami), festivals are present in all Japan. Two of the most important celebrations that take place on these beautiful islands are Hinamatsuri (Doll’s or girl’s festival) and Kodomo no hi. Both festivals are dedicated to the young ones, the children, but at the same time have enormous differences between them, that make them unique.

   To start with, either Hinamatsuri or Kodomo no hi celebrate the children. In the first one, the girls are the central piece of the festival. The second one celebrates children in general, despite the fact that it was first celebrated for boys. Another similitude between them is that both originated from older or ancient traditions. Doll’s festival traces its origin in another custom called Hina-nagashi (floating doll) that consisted on putting dolls on a boat and then sending the boats down on a river to the sea. They believed that by making this, the bad spirits were taken away from the girls. Children’s day, until recently and since its appearance, was called Tango no sekku. Kodomo no hi traces origin in that ancient custom. It was exclusively male celebrating boys and fathers, but since Japanese government designated it a national holiday in 1948, it celebrates boys and girls. The main intention of this festival is the respect for children personality and happiness.

  Now that we have seen their similitudes, let us see   what differences exist between these children festivals of Japan.

   The main difference between them is the procedure. In Hinamatsuri girls wear kimonos and expose dolls dressed with traditional kimonos too. The dolls, that symbolize the emperor, empress, musicians and attendants of a court of the Heian period, are set in a kind of stair-like platform, in a hierarchic way from left to right. The platform is covered with a red carpet and the dolls stay in their position 4 days. It is believed that if the doll stays in the platform for more than that time, the girl that owns it will stay single or have a late marriage.  On the other hand, the main activity of Kodomo no hi consists of rising carp-shape kites or flags. Every flag represents a member of the family: The black one (Magoi) goes at the top and symbolizes the father; the red one (Higoi) follows and stands for the mother and the last ones represent the children of the family. Another obvious difference between these festivals is when they occur: Hinamatsuri occurs on March 3rd and Kodomo no hi on May 5th.

 In conclusion, Japan has one of the richest cultures in the world. Festivals are very common and popular in the country. Two important festivals are Hinamatsuri and Kodomo no hi. Both celebrate children and started as antique traditions but that is the only thing they have in common: The procedures in these festivals are completely different, apart from taking place at different times of the year.   Of course both Hinamatsuri and Kodomo no hi are excellent reasons for visiting Japan.