端午の節句は中国から日本へも伝わり、古くから日本でも５月５日には魔除けの為に「菖蒲」や「よもぎ」など香りが強い植物を飾ったり、「屈原」の伝説をもとに災いを取り除く為に粽を作って食べていました。
それが、鎌倉時代（1185年―1333年頃）、武士の時代になると「男の子の成長」を祈る節句に変わりました。侍の世界では何よりも男児の成長が重要だったからです。
そして、1948年には「子どもの日」は全ての子どもの幸せを願う日として、法律で祝日と定められました。
現在の子どもの日は「こいのぼり」をかざることが有名ですが、「鎧」、「弓」など侍時代に男子誕生祝に贈られた物を飾ったり、「粽」を食べたりします。でも、日本で端午の節句に食べる粽は普通、餅と餡で作られたものです。シンガポールのもち米のものとは違います。
Kashiwamochi
and chimaki
The
seasonal tango festival was introduced from China to Japan. Since
old times in Japan
on the 5th of May, as a charm against evil spirits, strong smelling
plants such as shoubu and yomogi etc. are displayed. And based on
the legend of kutsugen, chimaki was made and eaten to remove
misfortune.
After
progressing into the kamakura
(AD 1185 - 1333) or samurai era, that
changed into a seasonal festival which involved prayers for ‘little boy’s
development’. It was because in the world of samurai, a male child’s
development was considered more important than anything else.
Then in
1948, Children’s day – a day of wishing for the happiness of all
children – was made a public holiday by law.
Koinobori photographed by 663highland
Presently
on Children’s day, the displaying of koinobori
is popular. Items given to boys as birthday presents during the samurai era (armor, bow etc.) are
displayed, and chimaki is eaten etc.
However, chimaki eaten in Japan during
the seasonal tango festival is
normally made from mochi and bean
jam. It is different from the bacang in Singapore.
