5th Day, 5th Month, Boy's Day Festival (untitled pentaptych of five annual festivals)

Kitagawa Utamaro, artist

1754–1806

5th Day, 5th Month, Boy's Day Festival (untitled pentaptych of five annual festivals), circa 1800, Edo period (1600–1868)

Where object was made: Japan

Material/technique: color woodcut

Dimensions:
Image Dimensions Height/Width (Height x Width): 370 x 248 mm
Image Dimensions Height/Width (Height x Width): 14 9/16 x 9 3/4 in
Sheet/Paper Dimensions (Height x Width): 373 x 261 mm
Sheet/Paper Dimensions (Height x Width): 14 11/16 x 10 1/4 in

Credit line: William Bridges Thayer Memorial

Accession number: 1928.7894

Not on display

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Inventing Childhood

Tango no Sekku, or Boy’s Day Festival, was historically celebrated in Japan on May 5. Although the origin of the Boy’s Day Festival is unknown, it probably began in the early seventh century. Originally, it was practiced in the houses of warriors to celebrate a boy’s courage and determination, and, therefore, many of the related decorations and traditions emphasized warrior characteristics. For example, warrior dolls, helmets, armor, and swords were displayed in houses for this holiday (notice the boy with a sword in this woodcut). Over time, this day became important to all Japanese families with sons and later included girls as well. In 1948 the government decreed this day a national holiday in celebration of the happiness of all children, renaming it Kodomo no Hi (Children’s Day).