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Tango no Sekku, or the Boys’ Festival, is one of Japan’s five seasonal festivals, celebrated annually on May 5th to pray for the healthy growth and happiness of boys. It is also called the “Iris Festival” (Shobu no Sekku), and today, this date is recognized as the national holiday “Children’s Day” (Kodomo no Hi).

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Origin and Meaning

Originally, “Tango” referred to the first horse day (uma no hi) in the fifth lunar month. However, since the word for “horse” (午, go) sounds the same as the number five (五, go), the festival became fixed on May 5th. The custom has its roots in ancient China, where days with matching odd numbers in month and date were considered powerful and were marked by rituals to ward off evil spirits. This practice was introduced to Japan and evolved locally.

During the Edo period, the sound of “shobu” (iris) was associated with “shobu” (valor or military spirit), making the festival especially important among samurai families as a day to pray for boys’ growth and family prosperity. In contrast, March 3rd’s Hina Matsuri became the festival for girls.

Historical Development

• Chinese Origin:
  The festival traces back to the Spring and Autumn period in China, where May 5th was believed to be a day of strong evil spirits. People wore fragrant herbs, especially irises, and burned incense to ward off misfortune. The famous Chinese poet Qu Yuan is said to have drowned himself on this day, and the custom of throwing chimaki (rice dumplings) into the river to honor him gave rise to the tradition of eating chimaki.

• Development in Japan:
  Introduced during the Nara period, the festival was initially celebrated among the nobility as a riverside event. By the Heian period, it became known as the Iris Festival, and people picked irises and medicinal herbs for purification rituals. Over time, it shifted to May 5th due to the wordplay between “go” (five) and “go” (horse day). In the Edo period, the shogunate designated May 5th as an official celebration for boys, and customs like displaying banners, koinobori (carp streamers), and samurai dolls (gogatsu ningyo) developed.

• Modern Day:
  In 1948, May 5th was officially designated as Children’s Day, a national holiday to wish for the happiness of all children, though the traditional customs continue to focus on boys’ growth.

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Gogatsu Ningyo (Samurai Dolls) and Kabuto (Helmets):
Gogatsu Ningyo are traditional Japanese dolls displayed mainly on May 5th, for "Tango no Sekku" (Children's Day), to pray for the healthy growth and well-being of boys, as well as to protect them from misfortune and evil. These dolls come in various forms, such as kabuto (samurai helmets), yoroi (armor), warrior dolls, child generals, Kintaro, and Shoki, each with its own symbolism.

Origin and History

The origin of Tango no Sekku dates back to the Nara period, rooted in ancient Chinese customs of warding off evil. In samurai society, displaying armor and helmets became a way to celebrate the birth and growth of boys. By the Edo period, this custom spread to ordinary households as well.

Meaning of Gogatsu Ningyo

Gogatsu Ningyo symbolize wishes for boys' health and strong growth. Armor and helmets serve as protective charms, believed to guard children from illness and disaster. The dolls are also considered to take on misfortune in place of the child, so they are generally not passed on to others.

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Main Types of Gogatsu Ningyo

• Kabuto Display: Traditional displays featuring only the helmet, sometimes with swords or bows.

• Yoroi Display: Full sets of armor, including kabuto, swords, and bows.

• Warrior Dolls/Child Generals: Dolls modeled after historical warriors or brave children.

• Others: Dolls of Kintaro or Shoki, which are associated with health and protection from evil.

Modern Gogatsu Ningyo

While large, elaborate displays were common in the past, today more compact and modern designs are popular due to changes in living spaces6. Gogatsu Ningyo remain an important tradition, symbolizing parents' hopes for their children's safety and growth.

Summary

Gogatsu Ningyo are traditional dolls displayed on Tango no Sekku to wish for boys' health and growth, serving as charms against misfortune. The brave forms of armor and helmets reflect the family's desire for their children to grow up strong and resilient.

・Shobu (Iris):
Irises are displayed and used in baths (shobu-yu) for their believed power to ward off evil and promote good health. The sharp leaves are associated with swords and the warrior spirit.

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Family Celebrations

On Children’s Day, families often gather, decorate with koinobori and samurai dolls, and share festive foods. In modern Japan, the ways of celebration have diversified, but the core wish for children’s happiness and healthy growth endures.

For your reference, here is an article about Hinamatsuri. Please click from here.