Thai Smiles Japanese Styles
May 5th – Celebrate Boys’ Festival with UFM Fuji Super!
Children’s day is a day where homes are decorated with carp streamers and special auspicious foods are enjoyed. Originally, this day was meant to celebrate and bless sons with good health and strength, and to ward off evil spirits. Families would eat symbolic foods, wear samurai helmets called kabuto, believed to protect warriors from harm, and eat kashiwa mochi—a rice cake wrapped in oak leaf, symbolizing protection, the passing of generations, and renewal.
In modern times, with advanced medicine, people live longer, and with peace and no wars, there's no longer a need to send children to battle. Boys’ Festival has thus become a day to celebrate the growth and well-being of all children, both boys and girls.
Enjoy Kashiwa Mochi (Red Bean-Filled Mochi Wrapped in Oak Leaf)
These soft, chewy rice cakes are filled with sweet red bean paste and wrapped in fragrant oak leaves. The oak leaves contain eugenol, a natural essential oil with antifungal properties, which helps preserve the mochi without refrigeration, keeping them soft and tasty.
Typically, the oak leaves are not eaten, as they remain somewhat tough even after steaming. For those unfamiliar with kashiwa mochi, there’s no need to worry—it’s perfectly polite not to eat the leaf. The Japanese don’t consider it impolite at all.
Oak leaves not only offer health benefits, but also reflect the wisdom and thoughtfulness of ancient Japanese traditions. The leaf doesn’t fall in winter but only sheds when new leaves sprout, symbolizing continuity, succession, and the passing of legacy. The old leaf doesn’t fall until the new leaf is ready—just like generations handing over to the next.
Decorate with Carp Streamers
Carp are known for swimming upstream, and are believed in Japanese culture to represent strength and perseverance. There's even a legend that if a carp swims far enough upstream, it turns into a dragon. As such, carp are a symbol of courage, strength, and success.
On Boys’ Festival, Japanese households decorate with carp streamers, representing the father and sons in the family. The streamers are flown in the sky, looking like dragons soaring through the blue. Traditionally, the first carp is black (father), second is red (mother), followed by smaller carps for each child in the household.
Wear a Kabuto Helmet
The kabuto helmet symbolizes Japanese warriors and is believed to protect the wearer from harm and evil. On this day, families dress their children in kabuto helmets, offering prayers for the child’s health, safety, and well-being.
In Japan, decorative kabuto helmets are sold for the occasion, but often, families fold origami paper into wearable kabuto hats—lightweight and fun for kids.
Enjoy Chirashi Sushi Together
Chirashi sushi is a simple and auspicious dish. Just mix Japanese rice with ready-made sushi seasoning, and top it with your favorite colorful toppings! It’s easy for kids to enjoy and filled with meaningful ingredients:
In Kansai, chirashi sushi features cooked toppings like tofu, eel, and shiitake mushrooms. In Kanto, it's topped with raw fish like red snapper, yellowtail, or tuna. It’s then garnished with pickled salmon roe, shredded cucumber, and pink sakura denbu for a beautiful presentation.
If you'd like to join in celebrating Boys’ Festival and try delicious ready-to-eat Japanese foods, come shop for ingredients at UFM Fuji Super, available at all branches, open daily from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM!
36 views
