Up to what age should a May doll (helmet ornament) be displayed? How long should it be displayed? Is it bad to leave it out?

How long and until what age should you display your May doll?

Many people seem to be worried about how long to display the May dolls and when to take them down.

Before I answer that question, I have two questions to ask you.

How long will you display the Tango no Sekku decorations for that year?

My kids are getting bigger now, so how long should I keep it up?

I think these are the two problems you will have.

What is the effect of displaying May dolls?

[Why do we decorate helmets on the Children's Day Boys' Festival?]

The seasonal display of May dolls is one of the symbolic events that evokes the Boys' Festival in Japan.

As spring deepens, the cherry blossoms fall, and new greenery grows, Japanese households begin preparations for the May dolls.

Splendid May dolls are displayed at the entrances and in living rooms of homes, bringing happiness and vitality to homes as the seasons change.

[Values ​​before the COVID-19 pandemic]

• Wishing for the healthy growth of children
  
  
• Wishing for the happiness of your family
  
  
• The meaning of warding off evil spirits and evil spirits
  
  
• Respect for history and tradition

[Values ​​and recent trends regarding Tango no Sekku and Children's Day since the COVID-19 pandemic]

• A seasonal tradition during Golden Week: Family rest
  
  
• Changes in public consciousness since the COVID-19 pandemic: The importance of spending time with family
  
  
• Learning Japanese history together with your child

The seasonal display of May dolls is one of the symbolic events that evokes the Boys' Festival in Japan.

Dolls dressed as military commanders or generals exude a sense of dignity and bring a breath of learning about Japanese traditions and history into your home.

At home, parents and children often talk about the lives and personalities of military commanders in Japanese history.

The scene was like a picture scroll overflowing with family happiness and bonds, and the value of this very precious time will no doubt be cherished going forward.

When does a boy's first Doll's Festival last?

A boy's first festival is usually held on Tango no Sekku (May 5th) in the first year after his birth.

The Boys' Festival is a traditional Japanese event held to celebrate the growth and health of boys.

However, in some families where a child is born in April, the first festival is not limited to the Boy's Festival in the first year after birth, but rather is celebrated on May 5th of the second year after birth.

First of all, what time of the year will you decorate it for?

Children's Day falls on May 5th, close to the last day of the long Golden Week holiday.

I believe that this year's Tango no Sekku was a fun and memorable celebration for your family.

I imagine that every household displays May dolls, large or small, to celebrate Children's Day.

The best time to put away this May doll is after May 5th, on a sunny day.

A fun first festival

Children's Day on May 5th falls during the Golden Week holidays in the Japanese calendar.

Recently, many people have been taking nearly 10 days off during the Golden Week holidays.

The last day of Golden Week is May 5th, so this fun Golden Week will come to an end and we will return to our normal daily lives after the holidays.

With this in mind, I think it would be a good idea to put away your May dolls and promise to have another enjoyable festival next year.

What is the original meaning of the festival?

The original meaning of the festival is to enjoy the seasons and hold celebratory rituals at seasonal turning points.

This May 5th happens to be Boys' Day, a celebration for boys.

Ideally, all celebratory ceremonies and events for the year would end on May 5th.

However, hastily putting it away on a rainy day is not good for the May doll, which hates moisture.

Let's wait for the next sunny, dry day.

The guideline is, "I'd like to finish by next weekend."

This is the old festival, and for those in areas where it is celebrated, it falls on June 5th.

What is the significance of putting a helmet on a boy?

The custom of putting a helmet on a boy has several meanings.

Wishing you health and growth

Kabuto helmets have been worn by warriors and samurai since ancient times, and symbolize strength, courage, and health.

By putting a helmet on a boy, it is meant to pray for the child's health and growth, and that he will grow up to be strong and healthy in the future.

Masculinity and pride

The helmet is also a symbol of masculinity and pride.

By having boys wear helmets, we can help them become aware of the roles and responsibilities they will assume as future men and encourage them to grow up with pride.

Until what age should you display May dolls (helmet ornaments) and carp streamers?

As your child grows older...

My children are growing up and no longer interested in May dolls, so what should I do?

Many people seem to wonder until what age they should display their decorations.

The answer to this question is, ideally, you would want to keep it up until your children become adults, enter the workforce, and get married.

In fact, there are families where people display items passed down from generation to generation at the same time.

This is the most ideal type.

There's one for my grandfather, one for my father, and one for my children.

It is also a scene that gives you a sense of family history.

The time when precious boys leave their parents and become men

As boys reach a certain age, they begin to feel a strong desire to be treated as one of the adults.

This is also an unavoidable time when children become independent from their parents.

It's a challenge to develop the ability to survive on one's own, so we need to help them develop that ability.

Boys grow up to become men, who then become partners with women of the opposite sex and provide for their families.

In order to marry this important partner and raise a family, you will need this strength and will find yourself in a position where you have to protect them.

Furthermore, we will have to support any children that will be born in the future.

We hope you will display your May doll and watch your child grow from afar.

Earlier I said that you should be able to survive on your own, but there will come a time when you feel that it is impossible to survive on your own.

The reason why humanity has evolved to this point is because people have used their brains to help each other.

The time will come when your child will realize this too.

When you have a beloved wife and children and the desire to protect them grows stronger, you will finally understand the meaning of the Tango no Sekku festival that your father and mother performed for you.

Therefore, it is best to display your May doll in a subtle way.

When should you display a boy's May doll (helmet ornament)?

Ohigan is a Buddhist event, a period during which people make memorial services for their ancestors.

The spring equinox occurs around the Vernal Equinox (around March 20th), and during this period it is customary to offer flowers and incense at Buddhist altars and visit graves to honor ancestors.

It is customary to display a boy's May doll (helmet ornament) at the end of the spring equinox after the Ohigan period is over.

The spring equinox occurs around the vernal equinox, so it would be a good idea to decorate your helmet around that time.

Is it okay to display May dolls in May?

Golden Week is one of the longest consecutive holidays in Japan and a time when many people enjoy vacations.

Golden Week usually takes place from the end of April to the beginning of May.

During this period, there are many opportunities to spend time with family and friends, and many family events and celebrations are held.

Therefore, displaying a May doll with a boy's helmet at the start of Golden Week is a good opportunity to celebrate time with family and friends.

The helmet represents a wish for the health and growth of boys, and by displaying it during this special time when the family gathers together, it helps to strengthen family bonds and bless the children's futures.

Is it okay to display the May dolls at night?

Celebrations are generally held in the morning.

There are a few reasons why it is done in the morning.

Brightness and vibrancy

Morning is daylight and bright, so celebrations held during this time tend to be more lively and cheerful.

Up to what age should you display a May doll (helmet ornament)? How long should you display it? Is it bad to leave it out?

In other words, the May doll prepared to celebrate your child's first Doll's Festival should be put on display from early April as a symbol of enjoying the peaceful Golden Week season, and will be a family heirloom to be treasured for years to come.

Instead of forcing yourself to display your May dolls, enjoy the seasonal change with Tango no Sekku.

Spend the Golden Week holidays relaxing with your family.

It feels like the season to enjoy the peaceful time of the holidays while feeling the pleasant breeze on Children's Day, May 5th.

With this in mind, people are now increasingly displaying May dolls, which has become a recent trend.

If you think about it this way, leaving it out all year round takes away the emotion and charm of feeling the seasons.

Once Children's Day on May 5th has passed, let's tidy up as a milestone and look forward to the fun new May 5th next year.

Let's make it a family event where you can see how your son and your family have grown through another year.

P.S.: As we enter June, it will be the rainy season, which is very humid and which May dolls dislike, so we recommend that you put your dolls away as soon as possible.