Festival for children slated May 2

Advertiser Staff

The modern Japanese holiday Kodomo no Hi, or Children's Day, will be celebrated with a free festival from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. May 2 at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i.

The festival will feature games and a jumper from Xtreme Fun Rentals, kimono dressing, cultural make-and-take activities, entertainment, food and a mini craft fair.

Admission is free.

May 5 — originally known as Boys Day, or Tango no Sekku — is now celebrated as Kodomo no Hi in Japan.

On the fifth day of the fifth month, families traditionally wish their male children future success and long life by displaying koi nobori (carp windsocks), a symbol of strength, and figurines that represent bushi, or warriors and heroes.

Although Boys Day observances remain, after World War II the national holiday officially became Kodomo no Hi, honoring all children.

Keiki will be invited to make their own paper koi nobori and tegata (hand prints) and write their name in Japanese calligraphy. Children also will learn how to play Go, a board game of skill, and view a rare exhibit of Japanese children's swords.

Children also can dress in traditional kimono and be photographed.

The kimono dressing — a fund-raiser for the cultural center's educational programs — costs $60 per child for center members, $65 for nonmembers; fees don't cover the photo packages.

For more information, call 945-7633.