Hatsuzekku: A child's first celebration of life

In Japan, there are a few customs that celebrate a child's birth with wishes for a healthy and long life for the child. 

Among the many children festivals what we have in Japan, the first celebration that a child has after his or her birth is known as the "Hatsuzekku". 

Hatsuzekku celebrates the birth of a new born and calls for rituals to pray for the baby's growth and to ward off any bad luck. Hatsuzekku for baby girls is called "Momo no sekku" and is celebrated on 3rd of March when the peach blossoms start to bloom, while for the boys, the celebration is called "Tango no sekku" and is celebrated with the family on 5th May. 

Momo no sekku

Tango no sekku

During the celebrations, households will get their houses ready with colourful carp streamers, replicas of ancient Japanese samurai helmets called "kabuto" and little samurai dolls called "Gogatsu ningyo" for the boys, or dolls that symbolise the princesses (called Ohinasama) and lords from the Heian period for the little girls. 

Ohinasama, a Heian period princess

Kabuto, a Japanese samurai helmet

The little samurai doll called "Gogatsu Ningyo"

Flying carp streamers

Carp

It is believed that these dolls are necessary for the children's smooth growth and development and that these dolls will protect the children from harm. 

In the past, during the tango no sekku, families will decorate their homes with the samurai figurines and build a pole in their garden to hang the carp streamers. However, lately, as many houses now do not have enough garden space or more families live in apartment buildings, we seldom see poles of carp streamers during the celebration. 

The significance of carp in the festival originates from a legend that tells of a carp that turned into a dragon after swimming up the Ryumon waterfall. The carp symbolises hope for success in a boy's life. Hence, even if there isn't enough space to construct a pole in the garden, you will notice some families installing carp streamers from their balcony instead. 

In the past when medical facilities are not as advanced as our modern day's, the number of children, who passed away young were significant and the community depended on such rituals to pray for the child's growth and health.

Hence, the birth of a child is an important event and to mark the special occasion these decorations were bought and prepared beforehand in every household. Due to the important social value that it holds, it was sold at a high price.

But even with today's medical technologies that ensures every child to be able to grow up healthy and strong, this tradition of hatsuzekku is still practiced today to commemorate the birth of a precious life into a household.