Children's Day

Children's Day is held on May 5. It is the day to celebrate the healthy growth of children, especially boys. Families with boys display warrior dolls and some tools on a stepped shelf inside the house. The warrior dolls represent samurai who lived in old days.
Koinobori (carp streamers) are flown outside in April and May. The carp is thought to be a lucky fish symbolizing success in life. These two things are gifted to a child by his mother's parents.
Chimaki ( a rice dumpling wrapped in bamboo leaves) and kashiwamochi ( rice cakes wrapped in an oak leaf with bean-paste inside) are special foods eaten on that day.