Happy Boy's Day!
Ash Tsuji
Born and raised in Hilo, Ash Graduated from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa with a bachelors in Communication and a published paper in the Journ...
Born and raised in Hilo, Ash Graduated from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa with a bachelors in Communication and a published paper in the Journ...
Have you noticed all the koi flags dancing dancing in wind? They’re called koinobori, or large carp streamers, and we display them every year to celebrate Boy’s Day on May 5.
The tradition originated in Japan and has been integrated into Hawai`i’s culture for over a century. Koi fish swim upstream, skip against the current, and fearlessly take on raging waterfalls. It’s only fitting that these aquatic animals are used to represent strength and longevity, traits many young men aspire to. That’s why we fly one koinbori for each male in the family
More recently, the tradition has evolved and some families fly carp to represent females in the family. We also celebrate Boy’s Day with special gifts like kashiwa-mochi, a rice cake made with the sword-shaped leaves for health and good luck. You can also give chimaki-mochi, a similar cake wrapped in bamboo leaves.
Within Japanese American homes, the day often includes a display of swords, bows and arrows, as well as musha-ningyo, or armor-clad samurai Boys’ Day dolls. Today, we like to give mochi treats to celebrate Boy’s Day on May 5 (as well as Girl’s Day on March 3). Check out this peanut butter mochi I posted on Instagram that my friend made for me!!!