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Customs of Tango-no-Sekku (The Boys’ Festival) |
At
the turning point of each season, various annual events
have been held in Japan from old times. Children learn
a lot of things naturally through those events, such as
Oshogatsu (New Year), Setsubun (the day before the beginning
of spring), Hinamatsuri (the doll festival for girls,)
Tango-no-Sekku (the boys’ festival,) Summer festival,
Bon festival, Moonlight party, Harvest festival, etc. For
instance, they learn a change of seasons, and they can
also learn various things such as moderate lifestyle, relation
with the local community, mind that values their ancestors,
and family love.
Among the numerous annual events such as
above described, “Tango-no-Sekku, the boys’ festival” is
a typical traditional event of Japan that has continued since
very early times, as an event to prevent disasters and diseases.
The history of Tango-no-Sekku started long, long time ago,
in the Nara era (about 1,250 years ago.) People in the court
in that era used to hold a seasonal event of praying for good
health, on the 5th day of May, by decorating irises. The month
of May has been regarded as a very important month since ancient
times, in relation to rice planting. Moreover, it is believed
that Japanese irises had special power, and they used irises
as a mark to welcome the god. In this way, the tradition of
decorating irises began. |
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“Gogatsu
Doll” to be displayed at Tango-no-Sekku |
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“Carp
streamers” to be displayed at Tango-no-Sekku |
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In the Heian era, an event called "Uma
Yumi (the ceremony of shooting arrows aiming at the target
while riding a horse)" has begun to be held as a ceremony
to remove evil spirits in the occasion of Tango-no-Sekku.
When the era has turned to the world of the samurai government
of the Kamakura era, the ceremony of Tango-no-Sekku in the
court went out of style, however, in the samurai society
where the character of shoubu (warlike) spirit (Shoubu in
Japanese also means “Iris,” though they use different
Chinese characteristics) is strong, Tango-no-Sekku has come
to be celebrated as the day to celebrate the shoubu (warlike)
spirit, applying the word of iris (shoubu) with the warlike
(shoubu) spirit. The customs of drinking iris sake (liquor)
and taking iris baths also has started in those days. |
When
the era has tuned to the Edo, people in general has come
to celebrate Tango-no-Sekku imitating the customs of samurai
families, coupled with the folk beliefs of decorating dolls
as Katashiro (the object where the god stays). In addition,
people living in tradesmen’s houses began to put up
flags with a picture of samurai in combat and carp streamers.
Then, in the latter half of the Edo period, “Hatsu
Sekku (the first boys’ festival)” has come to
be held grandly to celebrate the birth of sons, and it has
been succeeded until the present day. It is the Tango-no-Sekku
when people happily spend a whole day once a year, confirming
the growth of their sons who grow up comfortably. It should
be people’s wish to value this beautiful traditional
event of Japan that has started long time ago in the Nara
era, has been cultivated in a long history, and has continued
till today, for a long time to come.
There are the customs that decorate the doll of boy called “Gogatsu
Doll” in each home in the occasion of Tango-no-Sekku.
As for the “Gogatsu Doll,” please see the “’Gogatsu
Doll’ originated from Tango-no-Sekku.” |
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