Happy Kodomo-no-hi!

We invited friends over today to celebrate Japan's Children's Day, a national holiday, once Boys' Day, celebrating the healthy growth of all children.

A symbol of the holiday is the fish-shaped windsock, representing fish swimming upstream. Parents hope that their children will overcome obstacles as they grow up and become adults.



And here are my little swimmers:



We stocked up on Japanese snacks, hung a few windsocks, folded hats - and we were ready!



Here are the kids making their own carp windsocks ...



and hanging them in the trees. They looked so pretty:



And here is the traditional turn-your-friend-up-side-down-upon-meeting greeting:



And after that , it was time for the samurai hats...



and the samurai fights!



We used the traditional iris leaves as mock swords. They pack quite a sting if you get slapped by one.



We were lucky with the prettiest weather and very fun friends.



What a fun day!