[Childcare] A quiz about Children’s Day in childcare! Learn about traditions and customs

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
Nursery Teacher Mom Writertsukada moe
After working for five years at an after-school childcare club and three years at a nursery school, I began working as a freelance writer. I’m a mother of two children. Inspired by playing the flute in the school wind ensemble in elementary school, I joined a jazz club at university. I’ve also incorporated ukulele and piano performance into childcare. Playing, laughing, feeling sad, feeling frustrated—through all kinds of experiences, I want children to grow.

Children’s Day is celebrated every year on May 5! This day carries the wish for children’s healthy growth.

Here, we’ve gathered quizzes you can enjoy during childcare on Children’s Day! In fact, there are many little-known customs and meanings behind Tango no Sekku and Children’s Day.

There might even be quizzes that adults don’t know.

For children, Children’s Day is a wonderful day when they can enjoy special sweets and dishes.

Be sure to spend a fun time together with the kids while enjoying the quizzes, and celebrate their growth.

[Childcare] A quiz about Children's Day in childcare! Learn about traditions and customs (21–30)

In which era was Children’s Day first celebrated?

Nara period
Heian period
Edo period

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Nara period

Children’s Day is an ancient Japanese holiday that began in the Nara period. Even today, it is celebrated as Tango no Sekku to honor children’s growth. It is traditional to display carp streamers and eat kashiwa-mochi so that children will grow up healthy and strong. Enjoy the day together!

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kepiko

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Why did koi become carp streamers?

Because there is courage and strength
Because I like playing in/with the water.
Because it is familiar as food

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Because there is courage and strength

The carp is famous in the Chinese tale “The Carp’s Climb up the Waterfall.” There is a legend that a carp that climbs a waterfall becomes a dragon, symbolizing the strength and courage to overcome difficulties. For this reason, carp streamers carry the wish for growth and success. They are displayed to support children’s dreams and development.

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kepiko

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Who made the first koinobori?

boy
girl
Both

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boy

Koinobori (carp streamers) are a tradition meant to wish for boys to grow up healthy and strong. They began in the Edo period and are said to have been inspired in particular by Tokugawa Ieyasu raising a banner to pray for his child’s happiness. Even today, koinobori “swim” in the sky as a way to pray for children’s growth and good health.

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kepiko

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What did people used to do on Children’s Day to pray for children’s health?

Take a shōbu-yu (iris bath)
Make kashiwa mochi (oak leaf-wrapped rice cakes)
display carp streamers

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Take a shōbu-yu (iris bath)

On Children’s Day, we take a special bath called shobu-yu. The iris (shobu) is believed to bring good health and ward off misfortune. By putting iris leaves in the bath, people express their wish for children’s health and for them to grow up strong. Refresh yourself with a shobu-yu and have a wonderful Children’s Day!

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kepiko

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What do koi-shaped streamers symbolize?

Health and longevity
Courage and Success
Family bonds

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Courage and Success

Koinobori symbolize overcoming adversity and achieving success, inspired by the image of a vigorous carp swimming up a waterfall. For this reason, they are displayed to wish for children’s healthy growth, courage, and success. Be sure to put up koinobori on Children’s Day!

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kepiko

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Which color is not used for koinobori?

black
red
yellow

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yellow

The father’s koi-nobori is black, the mother’s koi-nobori is red, and blue or green is used for the children’s koi-nobori.

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tsukada moe

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What event takes place on May 5, the same day as Children’s Day?

Peach Festival (Hinamatsuri/Girls’ Day)
Boys' Festival (Tango no Sekku)
Tanabata

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Boys' Festival (Tango no Sekku)

Tango no Sekku is a celebration that prays for the healthy growth of boys. It falls on the same day as Children’s Day, but as an event it carries a different meaning.

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