Foods for Children's Day and Boys' Day and How to Celebrate the First Boys' Day | The Meaning of Chimaki, Cooking, and May Dolls

What should I do on Children's Day?

"What's the difference between chimaki and kashiwamochi?"


My first Boys' Festival,

Not sure what to prepare?


In this article,

The meaning of the food and decorations for the first festival, and the thoughts behind the rice dumplings and May dolls


We will explain it in an easy-to-understand manner.



What's important is not perfection, but the feeling .


We wrapped the rice dumplings together and talked about their meanings.


Each one of them,

I hope this will be a precious time that will remain in your child's heart as a family memory .

What to eat on Children's Day?

A comprehensive guide to popular menu items and their meanings

When I heard "What do you eat on Children's Day?"

For some reason, I think of "Chimaki" and "Kashiwamochi" ...



In fact, each and every item is

It has a deep meaning of wishing for the growth of children and the future of families .

Did you know?





Oak leaves are so beautiful that they do not fall off until new shoots grow.

It is said to be a good omen that "your family will never die out."


Chimaki is a food of ancient China

A talisman to protect against misfortune, created in memory of Qu Yuan, the "poet of loyalty"

It's a food like this.



The more you know,

The dinner table is not just an event

It will be transformed into a cultural stage that encourages conversation .



"Why is this wrapped up?"

"Why is it sweet?"


There are moments when a child's "why?" becomes a conversation

It's sure to be a fun Children's Day.


This Children's Day, let's spend time learning, tasting, and feeling

I hope you enjoy it.



It's mealtime,

We hope that this will be a "little history journey for parents and children."

I hope so.

What is the food eaten on Tango no Sekku?

Communicate the thoughts behind the event to children

Boys' Festival

It is said to be a day to pray for the growth of boys.

In fact, those wishes are also contained in "food."

Did you know?



For example, it is believed that the scent of iris leaves has the power to ward off evil spirits.


Because its shape resembles a sword,

It has also contained the samurai's wish to "raise the child to be strong."



Not only do we decorate with irises,

Take a bath with irises floating in it,

Eating chimaki and kashiwamochi has been a part of Japanese food culture and tradition since ancient times.


An ancient Japanese custom,

It still lives on today as an experience of "eating, feeling and speaking."


"Why this meal today?"

"What are irises for?"


Such doubts spread

Conversations between parents and children are also a time for nurturing the soul .



This year, through ceremonial food,


A festival that is not just about celebrating, but also about connecting

Maybe you could taste it?

What food should you prepare for the first festival?

Menu planning and preparation tips that won't leave you confused

The first "Hatsu-Sekku" celebration.


・"What should I prepare?"

・"Is there a format?"


Many people may be confused.


But it's okay.

What's important is that it's "heartfelt" rather than luxurious .



For example, in addition to chimaki and kashiwamochi,

A meal of one soup and three side dishes using seasonal ingredients, chirashi sushi, etc.


If the food conveys the desire for children's health ,

That will be the best celebration.



Furthermore, at the dinner table with grandparents,

It's also nice to add stories about old festivals .


"Daddy's first festival was..."

"As for that May doll..."


If such a conversation occurs,

The dining table will be transformed into a place where memories and feelings are connected .


Because it's the first time, you can be free to do whatever you want with your first festival.



Without being bound by formality,

Make this a day that embodies the warmth of family .

Learn the difference between chimaki and kashiwamochi with your children

A simple explanation of local customs and their meanings

"Chimaki" and "Kashiwamochi" are eaten on Children's Day,

The appearance and taste are completely different.


but,

Both are based on the desire to "protect children and help them grow up healthy."

It is a food that originated from



"Chimaki" is glutinous rice or dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves.

A talisman to ward off disaster and illness born from Chinese legend

It was also introduced to Japan as the



In Kansai and Kyushu, there are still many households where "Chimaki" is the main dish.



Meanwhile, kashiwamochi spread mainly in the Kanto region.


Oak leaves do not fall until new buds appear.

It is considered a symbol of "an unbroken family line = prosperity of descendants."



In other words, even though which one is eaten varies depending on the region, the feeling is the same .


"Food has meaning too,"

Try using this as an opportunity to think about it with your children.


💡Trivia💡

There were special customs for the Boys' Festival in Kyoto .

Differences between Kashiwamochi In addition to the regular red bean paste, there are also Kashiwamochi with paste made from white miso.

Gift Rules

• Boys' First Festival: Handing out Chimaki (rice dumplings)
• From the second year onwards: Give kashiwamochi (oak leaf mochi)

In Kyoto, gifts change from year to year, and kashiwamochi also has a unique miso flavor.



Reference site: May Dolls Kyoto Shimazu Co., Ltd.

Now is the time to make your own chimaki!

Easy recipes and an introduction to wrapping for parents and children to enjoy together

"Chimaki seems difficult..."


It may seem that way, but it's actually surprisingly simple.


It's the perfect "handicraft" for parents and children to make together .



Dumplings made from glutinous rice and glutinous rice flour,

Simply wrap it in bamboo leaves and tie it with string.


The warmth of your hands as they wrap around you and the soft fragrance of the leaves spreads throughout your mind.

A smile will naturally come to your face.



"Why wrap it in leaves?"

"I wonder if they used to do it like this?"


Such "why?" arises from

It's proof that the experience stays in your mind .


Making chimaki is a cooking activity,

It is also a "cultural relay" that is passed down from parent to child .


And above all,

That time itself becomes a memory for the family .



It doesn't have to be a special treat.




The time we spent laughing together


We believe that this is a treat that will remain in the children's hearts .

A feast perfect for Children's Day

Family table ideas

Children's Day is not just about cooking.

Why not enjoy the whole table?




For example, adding a carp streamer-shaped flag,

It's also nice to arrange chirashi sushi decorated with seasonal vegetables in the center.


"Wow, today is special!"

Try sprinkling in some fun things that will delight your children .



Fold paper napkins into the shape of a helmet, or place name flags on kashiwamochi rice cakes...

With just a little ingenuity, your dining table can be transformed into a stage for celebration .



What's important is,

I believe that preparing food with care is more important than serving fancy food .


"Did your mom make this?"

"My name is there!"


Such a comment brings a smile to the family's faces.


A feast is

It may not only be the taste, but also the "memorable space."


This year's table is

I hope it will be a memorable Children's Day scene.

Have a nice time.

Summary of food and decorations to prepare for the first festival

A special day celebrated through food and culture

The first Children's Day is the first Boy's Day that a baby celebrates after being born.


"What should I decorate?"

"What kind of food?"

There are many voices of concern.


But it's okay.


What's important is "family-likeness" rather than "correctness"

I feel that this is the case.


The people who decorate May dolls and carp streamers are

"I want them to grow up strong and healthy."

It contains the parents' wishes.



The menu incorporates seasonal ingredients and auspicious items.

Its role is to "savor" and celebrate healthy growth .



Chirashizushi, clear soup, chimaki and kashiwamochi.


Even though there is no set form for each,


Each and every item is made with a heart for children.

If it is, then it's correct .




We took photos and discussed the meaning of the decorations.


The first festival, which involves decorating, eating, and talking,

It's truly a "full course of memories."



irreplaceable

Enjoy your "first day" to the fullest with your family.

What is the meaning of May dolls and when should they be displayed?

Introducing the similarities with chimaki

"What is the purpose of displaying this May doll?"

Have you ever been startled by a random comment your child made?



May dolls are modeled after the helmets and armor of military commanders.


Protecting children from illness and disaster

It expresses the parents' wish that their child will grow up strong and resilient .



Just like in the past, people actually wore helmets when they went into battle,


"I hope this child will be able to move forward with strength on the path of life."

It was given as a gift to protect the soul .



The spring breeze is a pleasant time to decorate.

The best time to visit is mid-March to early April.


On a nice day, decorate it with your children.

This "meaningful event" will surely become a "memorable time."



Both the rice dumplings and the May dolls are things I want to protect.

It is the embodiment of my parents' ideas.


It's not just decoration,

By communicating this wish, it will reach the child's heart.

What is a suitable celebratory meal for a boy's festival?

Introducing the secrets of choosing ingredients and adding color

First festival and Children's Day,

"I want to make it a special treat."


A celebratory meal filled with such feelings,

In fact, it's much easier to enjoy than you might think.



The basic principle is to be conscious of "color" and "meaning ."


If you create a menu that incorporates the five colors of red, yellow, green, white, and black,

It looks more glamorous,

It is also connected to the ancient Chinese philosophy of the five elements.

It also contains the meaning of "harmony."


For example, how about this menu structure?


・<Red> Chirashi sushi with decoratively sliced ​​carrots

・＜Yellow＞Dashimaki egg and corn chawanmushi

・＜Green＞Rape blossoms and green beans dressed with sesame

・＜White＞Hanpen and Daikon Radish Soup

・＜Black＞Sweet simmered shiitake mushrooms and kashiwamochi rice cakes with black sesame seeds



It's fun to look at and easy to eat,

And "This color has this meaning"


Time to eat while having a conversation

It will be a most delicious treat.



In addition, carp streamer-shaped picks and flags are displayed,


Just by changing the shape and arrangement of the plates,

It will quickly turn into an exciting "Setsubun Party" for children .



More than cooking skills,

The important thing is to see smiles that say, "This is fun" or "This is delicious."


The dining table in the middle of those smiles is

It will be a memorable celebration meal for the family .

Cultivating "emotional memories" around the dinner table with chimaki

Conversations and bonds created through special occasion food

There is a mysterious warmth to the time spent around chimaki.


The scent of bamboo leaves, the movement of the hands wrapping it around,

Then there are laughs and voices asking, "What shape should we make it?"


"Mom, this is what I made!"

"Dad, it's not rolling properly."


With such interactions, the dinner table naturally fills with smiles from the family.


Chimaki is not just a food.


It is the "time" when parents pass on their feelings to their children.


You may forget the taste someday.


But the laughter and warmth of your hands that day

I'm sure it will remain in the depths of my heart .



This year's Children's Day, gather around rice dumplings


Why not enjoy some memorable celebratory food with the whole family?

Keep Children's Day in Memories with Photos

Decorations, food, and smiles

"Photographs are something you only look back on for a moment.


But the time spent taking photos will be a memory that will last a lifetime."

Children's Day is a special day when we can give shape to this "present moment."



Decorate your room with carp streamers,

Put up a flag with your name next to the sushi.


In front of the kashiwamochi, "Say cheese!"


Just by doing that, the commemorative photo will become a ``family story.''


With just a little effort, your child's smile will become more natural and brighter.


Try folding a paper napkin into a helmet.

The whole family wears matching colors...



What's important is not "looking good",

The idea is to capture the feelings I had at that time in a photograph .


So that 10 years from now, I can look back and say, "That was fun."


Your little effort today will become a treasure for the future.


This year's Children's Day


Why not enjoy a photo shoot that will create memories ?

What I want to convey through the Boys' Festival

The desire to "protect" | The story of chimaki and May dolls

A heartfelt gift from parent to child

Decorate with carp streamers and May dolls,

Surrounding the chirashi sushi, we wrap up the chimaki together...


Looking back on the day I spent like that,

"Oh, that was fun," I thought, and a smile naturally came to my face.

But that's not all.


In fact, today's "fun" includes

A lot of thought has gone into it .



Chimaki has the power to protect against illness,

Kashiwamochi represents the wish for the family to continue.


May dolls symbolize "the strength to face difficulties"


I feel that all of these are forms of a parent's prayer for their child to "protect" and "give birth to a good life."


It's natural that children don't understand the meaning yet.


But growing up surrounded by that atmosphere,

It should help you develop a gentle heart .



"We laughed and made rice dumplings together"

"Old festivals told to me by my grandfather"

It is memories like these that

It may become a treasure for your child .



It doesn't have to be perfect.

Even if you don't do it well, or if you're a little rushed with the preparations,


"I want to celebrate" "I want you to be happy"

That feeling will be conveyed properly .


Today's little celebration


We hope that this will be a warm festival that will stay in the hearts of children.