Let me introduce Boys' Day.
Today is Boys' Day in Japan and a holiday for wishing boys' healthy growth and promotion in future.
The families who have sons celebrate this day by displaying such dolls (armor) as shown in the photo at home.
 |
| Armor for wishing Boys Day |
Besides displaying a doll, it is Japan's custom to eat rice cakes called Kashiwa-mochi (柏餅) on Boys Day. This rice cake bean jam inside is wrapped by oak's leaf. The oak leaves will not fall down until new ones come out, so it has been considered as a symbol of family's continuing prosperity.
 |
| Kashiwa-mochi rice cakes, typically 1,5 USD or 1,0 Euro per piece |
Outside of home, it is Japan's old custom to display cotton-made or nylon-made carps on Boys Day, because carps are the symbol of strength and promotion in society.
 |
| Photo taken at Yamanashi Prefecture |
Thank you,
- Ken, President
http://www.nipponcraft.com/
