Baby’s First Festival

A Japanese baby’s first festival celebration is known as Hatsu zekku (初節句). Only the initial event that falls under the five major festivals (Gosekku – 五節句) can be determined as a Hatsu zekku. These Gosekku festivals are events celebrating the change in seasons.

January 7: Nanakusa no sekku (七草の節句 / Festival of the Seven Herbs), also known as the Jin jitsu (人日 / Human Day)

March 3: Momo no sekku (桃の節句 / Peach Festival), more commonly known as the Hinamatsuri (ひな祭り / Doll’s Festival)

May 5: Tango no sekku (端午の節句 / Boy’s Day Celebration), or Kodomo no hi (こどものひ / Children’s Day), or Shobu no sekku (菖蒲の節句 / Iris Festival)

July 7: Tanabata (七夕 / the Star Festival)

September 9: Kiku no sekku (菊の節句 / Chrysanthemum Day)

Boy’s Day / Children’s Day

On May 5th, two months after his birthday, Baby had his Hatsu zekku (初節句 / First Festival). It was Children’s Day in Japan. Until recently, the national holiday was known as Tango no sekku (端午の節句 / Boy’s Day). Despite the name being changed, it remains a boy-centered festival.

Like any Japanese household with sons, we displayed the Musha Ningyo (Warrior Dolls), more commonly known as Gogatsu Ningyo (五月人形 / May Dolls). A traditional set can be ridiculously expensive as it includes a splendid samurai armor suit and other exquisite warlike ornaments (i.e. swords, spears, bows, arrows, banners, etc.). Hence, nowadays, most families just use simple and contemporary Musha Ningyo to express the hope that their sons will acquire health and happiness as well as samurai virtues such as courage and strength.

This one features Momo-Taro (Peach Boy) – Little boys’ well-loved fictional hero.

Fortunately for us, we had a set handed down from one generation. My husband’s grandparents bought a set for him when he was only a few months old. It was displayed once and then was kept in storage for more than 30 years. During this festival, the set was once again a stunning exhibit in the tatami room.

Oops, I just realized from the photo that the set was incomplete.
The bow/arrow and a pair of Japanese iris ornaments were left out.

Another prominent Tango no Sekku symbol is the Koinobori (/carp-shaped streamers), which are usually placed on the house’s windiest exterior. The Koinobori is a depiction of carp swimming upstream against strong currents. By hoisting the streamers, parents hope for stamina, strength, determination, and personal advancement for their sons.

The Large (black) carp for Daddy, a medium (red) carp for Mummy, and a small (blue) carp for Baby.

Baby’s Koinobori toy.

Usually, Baby has his bath in the baby tub. However, on Boy’s Day, he had the traditional Shobu yu (菖蒲湯 / Japanese Iris Bath) in the regular bathtub with his daddy. The Shobu (菖蒲 / Japanese Iris) is the symbolic plant of Tango no sekku, which is why the festival is also known as Shobu no sekku (菖蒲の節句 / Iris Festival). It has a strong association with Boy’s Day because of its long narrow sword-like leaf and the same sound as 勝負 (Shobu / Fight). Parents hope that their sons will have victory in any match or competition, or otherwise put up a good fight even in defeat.