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Description

Children's Day (Kodomo no hi) is celebrated on 5th May in Japan. It is a national holiday on which all children are celebrated and their mothers are honoured. Until recently, 5th May was known as Boy's Day (Tango no Sekku, or the Feast of Banners), so many of the traditional celebrations on Children's Day come from Boy's Day. Families with children hang colourful carp kites, called Koinobori, outside their houses - one for each child, with the biggest representing the oldest child at the top. The kites flutter in the wind and look beautiful. In Japanese culture, the carp (or koi) represents courage and perseverance, as the fish is known for its strength and determination as it swims against the current upstream. The carp kite symbolises each family's wish for their children to grow up brave and strong. Adapted from www.activityvillage.co.uk

Resources

Pre-printed paper template, felt tips, tape. Optional string, cane, streamers

Instructions

Colour in and decorate the kite then cut around the dotted line and roll the kite into a tube, joining the short edges with a little glue or sticky tape. Attach streamers and tie with a ribbon to a pole, if you wish. If adding string to fly the kite, reinforce the mouth edge with tape then use a hole punch to make a neat hole

Tags

• Japan Children's Day
• Kodomo no hi
• Koi carp

Badge Links

• World - Foreign activity