You may have heard your children wail, “There’s a Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Why isn’t there a Children’s Day?” Children in Japan never issue that cry, because Japan does have a Children’s Day, traditionally celebrated on May 5. On Sunday, May 2, the Cotsen Children’s Library in Firestone Library hosts its own version of Kodomo no hi, or Children’s Day, at 10 a.m., for ages seven and up. The two-hour workshop with storytelling, games, and crafts, is free with registration. Call 609-258-1148.
“In 1948, the Japanese government changed Boys Day, which dates back to the medieval times, to Children’s Day,” says Tara McGowan, who graduated from Princeton University in 1990 with a degree in comparative literature and East Asian studies and is now a professional storyteller with Storytelling Arts (www.storytellingarts.net).
The theme of Children’s Day, says McGowan, is keeping children healthy and safe throughout the year. “All the symbolism of Children’s Day — like carp wind socks, symbolic of the strength of the carp that can swim upstream or decorating miniature armor to symbolize the strength of the samurai — centers on this theme. There are even certain herbs that protect children from disease and evil spirits.”
McGowan first became interested in Japan during a year-long exchange program between her high school, St. Paul’s in Concord, New Hampshire, and its sister school, Seikei Upper Secondary School in Japan. At the Children’s Day workshop, she will tell stories about the origins of the rituals of the holiday. Crafts will center on the Samurai culture, like making Samurai helmets, making kites, talking about Sumo wrestling, and doing a craft with a wrestling theme. If weather permits, McGowan will take the children outside to fly the kites they make.
Children’s Day Festival, Cotsen’s Children’s Library at Firestone Library, corner of Nassau Street and Washington Road, on the Princeton University Campus, Sunday, May 2, 10 a.m. to 12 noon. For ages seven and up. Free with registration. Call 609-258-1148. Www.princeton.edu/~cotsen.
