Hina Matsuri
Girls Day, March 3

Tango-No-Seku
Boys Day, May 5
Children's Day
Children’s Day is a Japanese holiday honoring children. While originally boys and girls had individual holidays they are now celebrated together on May 5th as Children’s day. Traditionally girls day was a celebration of dolls. Growing up young women would collect various dolls. On Girls Day the dolls would be displayed on a red carpet with the emperor and empress at the head, and other dolls such as musicians, and ladies. On the other hand Boys day was celebrated by displaying a carp banner. A carp was a symbol of manliness, and hanging the banner was advertising the vigor of one’s son. In addition the boys would display miniature helmets, armor, and military trophies. Some warrior dolls were included, however; dolls were much more important for girls. Also the boy dolls represent specific historic or legendary figures.
Periodicals

The Mailbox Primary, Mar/Apr 1988
The focus of this issue is on Japan and
the festival of the arts. It also has a section
on the book Sadako and the Thousand
paper cranes.

Lollipops, Jan/Feb 1994 Vol 14 No 3
Issue 68 Pg 25-28
This section focuses specifically on
Hina Matsuri and Tango-No-Seku. It
includes activity ideas for celebrating
these holidays in the classroom.

Challenge, Jan/Feb 1995 Vol 13 no 3
Issue 63 Pg 24-28
Nations of the World--Japan This
magazine focuses on life in Japan with
attention to girls day and boys day.

 

A quilt pattern representing
Children’s Day.

Curriculum Reference


A mother and daughter preparing for Girl’s Day.

Curr/Ref
Art
S392
1981
Pg 120-2

Curr/Ref
ActBks
P778
1983

Curr/Ref
Art
M996
1993

Art From Many Hands This book contains ideas for children in developing different forms of Japanese art. This includes Haiku as well as fish banners which are used on Boys Day.


The Whole Earth Holiday Book This book contains ideas for both Hina Matsuri (pg129-31) and Tango-No-Seku (pg169-71) to help you teach children what the holiday celebrates and its importance to the Japanese people.

Multicultural Clip Art Pictures of traditional Japanese children, fish banners for Boys day, blossoms for Girls day.

Children's Literature

Children
Fic
C672s

Children
398.8
D317p

Children
915.2
B371j

Children
Folio
362.1
C672s

Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes Eleanor Coerr, This is a story of a Japanese girl and the courage she showed. Another insight into the life of a Japanese child.

The Prancing Pony Charlotte B. DeForest & Keiko Hida, Nursery Rhymes from Japan.

Japan in Pictures Robert V. Masters, A look at Japan through photos of everyday life, the land and other important places.

Sadako Putnam, A beautifully illustrated picture book telling the story of Sadako, a Japanese child, and her thousand paper cranes.


Emperor and Empress dolls
Internet Sites

A Boy's Day doll

http://www.clas.ufl.edu/users/jshoaf/Jdolls/hina.htm
This web site talks about the history of Children’s Day, and the use of dolls in the celebration.

http://www.jadejapandolls.com/boyday1.htm
This site discusses Boy’s and Girl’s Day dolls and has links to other great sites.

Credits for pictures:

http://www.jadejapandolls.com/boyday1.htm

http://www.clas.ufl.edu/users/jshoaf/Jdolls/hina.htm

http://www.jadejapandolls.com/girlday1.htm

 

created by
Lisha Smith
June 1998

Pathfinders

Education Curriculum Library Home

BYU-Hawaii Library Home

Please contact our Webteam with comments or suggestions.

Last updated 02/20/01


FastCounter by bCentral