1. JAPANESE EVENTS

2. SETSUBUN せつぶん Setsubun is the Bean Throwing Festival and celebrates the crossover from winter to spring. It is held in February. Children wear devil masks and throw beans shouting ‘Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi!’ meaning ‘Out with the devils, in with happiness.’

3. Hinamatsuri is the Dolls’ Festival. It is held in March. Families with daughters set up displays of special dolls The dolls are used to pray for a young girls’ growth and happiness. HINAMATSURI ひなまつり

4. HANAMI はなみ Hanami is the flower viewing festival. It begins in March. Traditionally people prayed at this time of year for a good harvest and rice planting season. Today, people celebrate by having outdoor parties under Cherry Blossom (Sakura) trees. They often eat dango, obento and drink sake.

5. KODOMONOHI こどものひ Kodomonohi is Children’s Day. It is in May and is a celebration for wishing all children happiness and health. Families fly carp streamers from flagpoles outside their house. These carp streamers symbolise strength because carp are very strong swimmers.

6. TANABATA たなばた Tanabata is the star festival. It is in July and celebrates the legend of two lovers who are separated by the Milky Way and can only meet once a year on the 7 th of July. During Tanabata special decorations are hung and people write wishes and hang them on bamboo. These are often burned after the festival.

7. SHICHIGOSAN しちごさん Shichigosan is the rite of passage festival. It is in November and celebrates the well being of young children. Girls aged 3 and 7, and boys aged 3 and 5 dress in kimono and visit shires to drive away evil spirits.

8. NAN GATSU DESU KA? なんがつ です か。 wa desu EVENT は MONTH です。 March May March February July November Setsubun Hinamatsuri Hanami Kodomonohi Tanabata Shichigosan