Quiz

c) Children's Day

Japan has a variety of traditional events and holidays. The Doll Festival on March 3 is a day to pray for the health of girls and celebrate their growth. Families with girls display special dolls adorned in clothing from the Heian Period (794-1192).

May 5 used to be called the Iris Festival, or Boys' Day, but today it is known as Children's Day and is reserved for wishing for the health and growth of all children. This day has been a national holiday since 1948. Therefore, the correct answer is "Children's Day." Families with boys display carp-shaped flags in their yards and decorate the inside of their homes with dolls of Kintaro (a Japanese folk-tale figure) or warriors.

Marine Day, another national holiday, is set aside to express appreciation for the blessings of the sea and to wish for the prosperity of Japan as a maritime country. This holiday is relatively new, having been established in 1996. It was initially celebrated on July 20, but in 2003 it was moved to the third Monday in July. Unfortunately, there is no "Fish Day."

Though Japan has no "Thank You Day," Mother's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in May. This day, when people express appreciation to their mothers, began in the United States at the beginning of the twentieth century and started to be celebrated in Japan around 1950. The symbol of Mother's Day is a red carnation. The third Sunday in June is Father's Day, on which appreciation is expressed to dads. This day was recognized around 1916 in America and became an established event in Japan in the 1950s.

Respect-for-the-Aged Day is a time to respect and wish for the longevity of elderly people. This day became a national holiday in 1966. This holiday was originally celebrated on September 15, but it was changed to the third Monday in September in 2003.

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