Kodomo no Hi for My Boys

Submitted by: Haruna King (Pleasanton, California, USA)

We set up the kabuto and koinobori set, gifted from my parents in Japan, for our two boys. They also made a paper koinobori at their local Japanese school.

Photo by Haruna King
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This was submitted by Haruna King from Pleasanton, California, for Discover Nikkei’s Nima-kai Kodomo no Hi Traditions photo activity.

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We set up the kabuto and koinobori set, gifted from my parents in Japan, for our two boys. They also made a paper koinobori at their local Japanese school.

Photo by Haruna King

Akachan's First Kodomo no Hi

Submitted by: Kendall Oshiro-Hernandez (Long Beach, California, USA)

It is our son Robin Kiyoshi's first Kodomo no Hi, and my first time celebrating as someone who is nikkei themselves; growing up, my family wasn't part of a Japanese American community, so I've committed myself to ensuring that Robin has what I didn't, and grows up with a strong sense of culture. In this photo, he is wearing a jinbei, sitting beside his kabuto, and intently looking at his Momotaro kokeshi.

Photo courtesy of Gen and Kendall Oshiro-Hernandez
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This was submitted by Kendall Oshiro-Hernandez from Long Beach, California, for Discover Nikkei’s Nima-kai Kodomo no Hi Traditions photo activity.

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It is our son Robin Kiyoshi's first Kodomo no Hi, and my first time celebrating as someone who is nikkei themselves; growing up, my family wasn't part of a Japanese American community, so I've committed myself to ensuring that Robin has what I didn't, and grows up with a strong sense of culture. In this photo, he is wearing a jinbei, sitting beside his kabuto, and intently looking at his Momotaro kokeshi.

Photo courtesy of Gen and Kendall Oshiro-Hernandez

Boys day decorations - Scroll

Submitted by: Lin Miyake (Orange County, California, USA)

Photo 4 of 4: Scroll

Boys day decorations my parents and I have bought over the years.
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This was submitted by Lin Miyake from Orange County, California, for Discover Nikkei’s Nima-kai Kodomo no Hi Traditions photo activity.

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Boys day decorations my parents and I have bought over the years.

Boys day decorations - Kabuto

Submitted by: Lin Miyake (Orange County, California, USA)

Photo 3 of 4: Kabuto

Boys day decorations my parents and I have bought over the years.
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This was submitted by Lin Miyake from Orange County, California, for Discover Nikkei’s Nima-kai Kodomo no Hi Traditions photo activity.

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Boys day decorations my parents and I have bought over the years.

Boys day decorations - Koinobori designed tapestry

Submitted by: Lin Miyake (Orange County, California, USA)

Photo 2 of 4: Koinobori designed tapestry

Boys day decorations my parents and I have bought over the years.
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This was submitted by Lin Miyake from Orange County, California, for Discover Nikkei’s Nima-kai Kodomo no Hi Traditions photo activity.

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Boys day decorations my parents and I have bought over the years.

Boys day decorations - Koinobori

Submitted by: Lin Miyake (Orange County, California, USA)

Photo 1 of 4: Koinobori

Boys day decorations my parents and I have bought over the years.
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This was submitted by Lin Miyake from Orange County, California, for Discover Nikkei’s Nima-kai Kodomo no Hi Traditions photo activity.

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Boys day decorations my parents and I have bought over the years.

Chichi no negai

Submitted by: Hiro Izumine Omalley (Newport Coast, California, USA)

I believe that I was 5 years old at my parents home celebrating Kodomo no Hi in Tokyo Japan in 70’s. They wished me to be as healthy & strong as a samurai.

Photo taken by my father Michinao
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This was submitted by Hiro Izumine Omalley from Newport Coast, California, for Discover Nikkei’s Nima-kai Kodomo no Hi Traditions photo activity.

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I believe that I was 5 years old at my parents home celebrating Kodomo no Hi in Tokyo Japan in 70’s. They wished me to be as healthy & strong as a samurai.

Photo taken by my father Michinao

Kodomo no Hi 80s Style

Submitted by: Shawn Iwaoka (Los Angeles, California, USA)

My first Children’s Day in 1982 at my grandfather’s house in North Hollywood. Gathered from right to left are my grandfather Takashi, great grandfather Masamitsu, and my dad, Masaaki, who’s holding me.
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This was submitted by Shawn Iwaoka from Los Angeles, California for Discover Nikkei’s Nima-kai Kodomo no Hi Traditions photo activity.

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My first Children’s Day in 1982 at my grandfather’s house in North Hollywood. Gathered from right to left are my grandfather Takashi, great grandfather Masamitsu, and my dad, Masaaki, who’s holding me.

Calvin, Boys Day 2000

Submitted by Kristine Aono (Silver Spring, Maryland, USA)

This photo shows my son with the koinobori that we hang on our door every May 5th. We hung one over his crib when he was a baby. That baby is now 22 years old. I hope these family traditions will continue for many generations to come.
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This was submitted by Kristine Aono from Silver Spring, MD for Discover Nikkei’s Nima-kai Kodomo no Hi Traditions photo activity.

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This photo shows my son with the koinobori that we hang on our door every May 5th. We hung one over his crib when he was a baby. That baby is now 22 years old. I hope these family traditions will continue for many generations to come.

A Socially Distanced Kodomo No Hi

Submitted by: Airybelle Uchida (Pasadena, California, USA)

This is Kenji’s first time celebrating Kodomo No Hi. Kenji’s dad and I are not letting the pandemic get on our way from celebrating our little 17 month old. Kenji will be enjoying some ice cream mochi at home and receiving lots of hugs and kisses from mom and dad.
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This was submitted by Airybelle Uchida from Pasadena, California, for Discover Nikkei’s Nima-kai Kodomo no Hi Traditions photo activity.

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This is Kenji’s first time celebrating Kodomo No Hi. Kenji’s dad and I are not letting the pandemic get on our way from celebrating our little 17 month old. Kenji will be enjoying some ice cream mochi at home and receiving lots of hugs and kisses from mom and dad.

The Finish Line

Submitted by: Alexa Nishimoto (California, USA)

Photo 6 of 6: Chibi-K Run

I made it out ok! Enjoying a snack after the run with my sister and a family friend.
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I made it out ok! Enjoying a snack after the run with my sister and a family friend.

Chibi-K Run 1994

Submitted by: Alexa Nishimoto (California, USA)

Photo 5 of 6: Chibi-K Run

My second annual Chibi-K Run. Runners in motion; we are like the koinobori swimming up the stream. I started off with my sister and cousin, but I’m not much of a runner so I ended up far behind them. Can you find me in the crowd?
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My second annual Chibi-K Run. Runners in motion; we are like the koinobori swimming up the stream. I started off with my sister and cousin, but I’m not much of a runner so I ended up far behind them. Can you find me in the crowd?

Colorful Koinobori

Submitted by: Alexa Nishimoto (California, USA)

Photo 4 of 6: Koinobori craft

So many Kodomo no Hi festivities at JACCC! Here I am coloring a koinobori.
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So many Kodomo no Hi festivities at JACCC! Here I am coloring a koinobori.

Post-run cool down

Submitted by Alexa Nishimoto (California, USA)

Photo 3 of 6: Snow cones after Chibi-K run

Me, my sister and our dad at JACCC plaza. Seeing photos of us eating snow cones brings a smile to my face.
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Me, my sister and our dad at JACCC plaza. Seeing photos of us eating snow cones brings a smile to my face.

Snow cones at JACCC plaza

Submitted by Alexa Nishimoto (California, USA)

Photo 2 of 6: Snow cones after Chibi-K Run

One of my favorite childhood memories is going to Little Tokyo on weekends and getting snow cones at Japanese Village Plaza. Here I am with my cousin at JACCC after our run.
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One of my favorite childhood memories is going to Little Tokyo on weekends and getting snow cones at Japanese Village Plaza. Here I am with my cousin at JACCC after our run. 

Chibi-K Run 1993

Submitted by Alexa Nishimoto (California, USA)

Photo 1 of 6: Chibi-K Run at JACCC

Every year, my parents would take us to Little Tokyo for Kodomo no Hi for the annual Chibi-K Run. I find comfort in seeing that the parking lot signage has remained the same throughout the years.
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Every year, my parents would take us to Little Tokyo for Kodomo no Hi for the annual Chibi-K Run. I find comfort in seeing that the parking lot signage has remained the same throughout the years.

Two Sons (Two Sons - Koinobori & Kabuto)

Submitted by: Mary Synada (Cerritos, California, USA)

Photo 2 of 2: Koinobori and Kabuto

Two sons, James and David, deeply loved their obasans (grandmothers). Their would celebrate on May 5th their favorite Japanese tradition, Kodomo no Hi (Children's Day). Their koinbori (carp-shaped wind socks) would be flying on poles. Two Japanese military helmets (Kabuto) and a beautiful ceramic samurai doll would be displayed on shelves. Together, they would enjoy the delicious Kashiwa mochi wrapped in oak leaves with their green tea. The mochi, the hanging carp, the samurai helmets and the Japanese doll were all symbols of the strength and vitality of Kodomo no Hi and their lasting memory of love for their obasans.
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Two sons, James and David, deeply loved their obasans (grandmothers). Their would celebrate on May 5th their favorite Japanese tradition, Kodomo no Hi (Children's Day). Their koinbori (carp-shaped wind socks) would be flying on poles. Two Japanese military helmets (Kabuto) and a beautiful ceramic samurai doll would be displayed on shelves. Together, they would enjoy the delicious Kashiwa mochi wrapped in oak leaves with their green tea. The mochi, the hanging carp, the samurai helmets and the Japanese doll were all symbols of the strength and vitality of Kodomo no Hi and their lasting memory of love for their obasans.

Two Sons (Two Sons - Koinobori, Kabuto, a samurai doll)

Submitted by: Mary Synada (Cerritos, California, USA)

Photo 1 of 2: Koinobori, Kabuto, a samurai doll

Two sons, James and David, deeply loved their obasans (grandmothers). Their would celebrate on May 5th their favorite Japanese tradition, Kodomo no Hi (Children's Day). Their koinbori (carp-shaped wind socks) would be flying on poles. Two Japanese military helmets (Kabuto) and a beautiful ceramic samurai doll would be displayed on shelves. Together, they would enjoy the delicious Kashiwa mochi wrapped in oak leaves with their green tea. The mochi, the hanging carp, the samurai helmets and the Japanese doll were all symbols of the strength and vitality of Kodomo no Hi and their lasting memory of love for their obasans.
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Two sons, James and David, deeply loved their obasans (grandmothers). Their would celebrate on May 5th their favorite Japanese tradition, Kodomo no Hi (Children's Day). Their koinbori (carp-shaped wind socks) would be flying on poles. Two Japanese military helmets (Kabuto) and a beautiful ceramic samurai doll would be displayed on shelves. Together, they would enjoy the delicious Kashiwa mochi wrapped in oak leaves with their green tea. The mochi, the hanging carp, the samurai helmets and the Japanese doll were all symbols of the strength and vitality of Kodomo no Hi and their lasting memory of love for their obasans.

Raising the koinobori with G-chan

Submitted by: Amy (Gardena, California, USA)

When our son was born, G-chan put up a flagpole in our backyard and gave us the family koinobori. This year, our son was so excited when it was time to bring out the koinobori, and extra excited that he was big enough to help G-chan with stringing them up! He loves to watch them swim in the sky while singing the Koinobori song.
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This was submitted by Amy from Gardena, California, for Discover Nikkei’s Nima-kai Kodomo no Hi Traditions photo activity.

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When our son was born, G-chan put up a flagpole in our backyard and gave us the family koinobori. This year, our son was so excited when it was time to bring out the koinobori, and extra excited that he was big enough to help G-chan with stringing them up! He loves to watch them swim in the sky while singing the Koinobori song.

Koinobori in front of JACCC

Submitted by: Japanese American Cultural & Community Center (Los Angeles, California, United States)

From Hirokazu Kosaka: This koinobori was around 1990 when we started to have the Chibi-k run in conjunction with the Children’s Day. I had the father and son koi on one side and mother and daughter koi on another side. I don’t think the memorial court was built then.
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From Hirokazu Kosaka: This koinobori was around 1990 when we started to have the Chibi-k run in conjunction with the Children’s Day. I had the father and son koi on one side and mother and daughter koi on another side. I don’t think the memorial court was built then.

Koinobori at Kumano Hongū Taisha in Tanabe, Wakayama

Submitted by: Jane Shohara Matsumoto (Los Angeles, California, USA)

In April 2017, My daughter and I decided that we were due for a mother-daughter trip and we on a hiking excursion through Kumano-no-Kodo, a UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Landacape. We trekked to Kumano Hongū Taisha (熊野本宮大社), a Shinto shrine located in Tanabe, Wakayama, deep in the rugged mountains of the Kii Peninsula of Japan. It is included as part of the Kumano Sanzan in the World Heritage site “Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range”. 
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In April 2017, My daughter and I decided that we were due for a mother-daughter trip and we on a hiking excursion through Kumano-no-Kodo, a UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Landacape. We trekked to Kumano Hongū Taisha (熊野本宮大社), a Shinto shrine located in Tanabe, Wakayama, deep in the rugged mountains of the Kii Peninsula of Japan. It is included as part of the Kumano Sanzan in the World Heritage site, “Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range”. 

Boy’s Festival in May painting at Tule Lake by Toshiko D. Hamaoka (“Boy’s Festival in May” painting by Toshiko D. Hamaoka)

Submitted by: Japanese American National Museum (Los Angeles, California, USA)

1945 watercolor painting by Toshiko D. Hamaoka titled Boy's Festival in May. Shows celebration of Boy’s Day with koinobori (flying carp banners) hanging from poles between barracks at the Tule Lake concentration camp in California during World War II.

Japanese American National Museum. Gift of Charlotte Opler Sagoff, 2002.142.2.
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1945 watercolor painting by Toshiko D. Hamaoka titled Boy’s Festival in May. Shows celebration of Boy’s Day with boys in the streets and flying carp banners (koinobori) hanging from poles between barracks at the Tule Lake concentration camp during World War II.

Japanese American National Museum. Gift of Charlotte Opler Sagoff, 2002.142.2.

Infant Boy with Boy’s Day Doll & Koinobori (Dustin Ogata with Boy’s Day samurai doll and koinobori)

Submitted by: Japanese American National Museum (Los Angeles, California, USA)

A baby boy, Dustin Ogata, dressed in kimono next to a Boy’s Day samurai doll under four cloth koinobori hanging from a bamboo branch in Hilo, Hawaii, 1980. 

Japanese American National Museum. Gift of the Ogata and Murakami Families, 96.337.3.
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A baby boy, Dustin Ogata, dressed in kimono and laying in an infant chair on a small folding table next to a Boy’s Day doll under four cloth koinobori hanging from a bamboo branch in Hilo, Hawaii, 1980. The samurai doll riding on a white horse is enclosed in a glass case.

Japanese American National Museum. Gift of the Ogata and Murakami Families, 96.337.3.

Fukumoto Family Celebrates Boy’s Day in Hawaii (Fukumoto Family Celebrate Boy’s Day in Hawaii)

Submitted by: Japanese American National Museum (Los Angeles, California, USA)

Ronald and Kay Fukumoto hold their son, Mitchell, under a koinobori flying in front of their house for Boy's Day in Hawaii, 1994. 

Japanese American National Museum. Gift of the Ronald and Kay Fukumoto Family, 96.340.1.
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Ronald and Kay Fukumoto hold their son, Mitchell, under a koinobori flying in front of their house for Boy’s Day in Hawaii, 1994. 

Japanese American National Museum. Gift of the Ronald and Kay Fukumoto Family, 96.340.1.

Kodomo no Hi Celebration, Hawaii, 1929 (First Kodomo no Hi celebration, Waimea, Hawaii, 1929)

Submitted by: Japanese American National Museum (Los Angeles, California, USA)

First Kodomo no Hi celebration for Michael Masaki, Waimea, Hawaii, May 5, 1929. In the center of photo is grandmother Matsu Mishima standing with two children, father Koichi Masaki is second from right.

Japanese American National Museum. Gift of Bernice Namie Masaki Okino, 98.233.2.
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First Kodomo no Hi (Children's Day) celebration for Michael Masaki in Waimea, Hawaii, on May 5, 1929.

In the center of the photo is grandmother Matsu Mishima standing with two children; father Koichi Masaki is second from right.

Japanese American National Museum. Gift of Bernice Namie Masaki Okino, 98.233.2.