Celebrating Children’s Day in Japan

Celebrating Children’s Day in Japan

A short week – but busy!

We started off by celebrating Children’s Day in Japan. We talked about where Japan is and how we might get there – some interesting suggestions! We talked about the flying of flagpoles outside people’s homes for this festival with a carp representing each member of the family with the black Daddy one at the top, followed by the red Mummy and the blue children underneath. Children cut and stuck their own carp kites and some decorated ones for a display. Others made Kabuto (warrior helmets). They also heard the traditional Japanese children’s story Momotaro – The Peach Boy who appeared as a baby from a peach, grew up very strong and with the help of some animal friends and some special Japanese dumplings was able to save his village from the terrifying ogres on Ogre Island.

We also looked at animals and their babies with a treasure hunt in the garden one windy morning. And finally a walk to Charlie’s house and lake on Friday. Thank you to all who helped and to Charlie’s family for their hospitality. We saw tadpoles growing legs to turn into frogs, miniature ponies, horses, sheep and lambs. We looked in the nets for crayfish in the lake but they were empty. We walked a long way and those with little legs managed very well.